Charlottesville, Virginia – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a primary natural disaster designation for fifteen Virginia counties due to severe drought conditions. Secretary Thomas Vilsack confirmed the designations, which allow affected farmers to apply for critical assistance, including emergency loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The counties recognized under this designation include Albemarle, Augusta, Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Loudoun, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, and the city of Waynesboro. Additional neighboring counties such as Bath, Culpeper, Buckingham, Fairfax, Fluvanna, Orange, Louisa, Nelson, Stafford, Prince William, and Rockbridge, along with the cities of Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Winchester, are also eligible for aid due to their proximity to the primarily affected areas.
Farmers facing hardships due to drought conditions can seek financial assistance through FSA emergency loans. These loans are intended to help cover losses and damages resulting from the drought. The FSA evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances and needs of each applicant. Farmers have an eight-month window from the date of the disaster declaration to submit their loan applications.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the regions in question have experienced “D2 Drought-Severe” conditions for eight consecutive weeks or have reached “D3 Drought-Extreme” or “D4 Drought-Exceptional” levels. This prolonged dry spell has significantly impacted agricultural operations, necessitating urgent government intervention.
Farmers seeking more information on eligibility, application procedures, or other details related to disaster assistance can visit the Virginia FSA State Office online at www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Virginia or contact them directly at (804) 287-1500. Additionally, comprehensive details about USDA Disaster Assistance Programs are available through a dedicated brochure which can be accessed at https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/farmersgov-disaster-assistance-brochure-07-21-2022.pdf.
This targeted support underscores the USDA’s commitment to sustaining the agricultural sector in Virginia amid challenging climatic conditions, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary resources to continue their operations and recover from the adverse effects of the drought.
