WASHINGTON CO. DESIGNATED BY USDA AS PRIMARY NATURAL DISASTER AREA FOR DROUGHT

  

Washington County is one of four Texas counties designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a primary natural disaster area for drought.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the counties of Washington, Burleson, Fayette and Liberty suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of either severe drought for eight or more straight weeks, or extreme or exceptional drought.

The natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend credit to recovering producers through emergency loans.  The loans can be used to meet various recovery needs such as the replacement of essential items like livestock or equipment, reorganizing farming operations or refinancing certain debts.  The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

Nineteen contiguous counties are also eligible for assistance, including Austin, Brazos, Colorado, Grimes, Lee and Waller counties.

The deadline to apply for aid is March 27, 2023.  Producers can determine their program or loan options by going to www.farmers.gov or contacting their local USDA Service Center.