Loudoun Farmers Eligible for Federal Emergency Drought Aid

Loudoun County farmers are eligible to apply for emergency loan assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) due to drought conditions during this year's growing season.

USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack has declared Loudoun and 14 other Virginia counties to be "primary natural disaster areas," which allows the FSA to offer emergency loans and other assistance to farmers affected by the drought.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for the emergency loans. In addition to Loudoun, farmers in the Virginia counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren, and the city of Waynesboro are eligible to be considered for drought emergency assistance from the FSA. Counties in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia that are contiguous to the 15 primary localities are also eligible for drought emergency assistance

More information on available assistance programs and the application process is available on the Virginia FSA State Office website. Additionally, Loudoun County agencies are working with local farmers regarding their options for assistance during times of drought.

Read the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' July 30, 2024, news release.

Local Assistance

Local farmers can also receive technical support and assistance through the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development and Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun. Both agencies work to increase the sustainability of agricultural operations in Loudoun. More information is online at loudounfarms.org and loudoun.gov/extension.

Drought Information

Earlier this week, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issued a Drought Watch for Loudoun and the region due to unusually dry conditions that have persisted this summer. Residents and businesses are encouraged to take voluntary steps to conserve water and help reduce demand on the region's water supply systems. More information is online at loudoun.gov/drought.

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