The USDA has designated 27 of California’s 58 counties as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by extreme drought. Of the 27, the following RCRC member counties are included: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, and San Benito.
Agricultural operators in all counties designated as natural disaster areas may qualify for low interest emergency (EM) loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Counties that are contiguous to the primary disaster counties declared also qualify for USDA natural disaster assistance.
Farmers and ranchers in designated counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for the EM loan to help cover part of their actual losses. To verify the deadline for application in your area, contact your county’s FSA office, accessed here.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has conservation-related disaster assistance to protect soil, water, and habitat. Additional information can be accessed here. Small, non-farming businesses in USDA disaster-designated counties may be eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Additional information can be accessed here.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Analyst Nick Konovaloff at 916.447.4806 or nkonovaloff@rcrcnet.org.