Southern Idaho Counties Named Natural Disasters

The USDA has designated four Idaho counties as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions.  Producers in Blaine, Minidoka, Oneida, and Power counties are now eligible to apply for FSA emergency loans.  According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, this part of Idaho has experienced severe to exceptional drought during most of the growing season.

This week’s designation also makes producers in ten neighboring Idaho counties including Bannock, Bingham, Butte, Camas Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Jerome, and Lincoln, as well as Box Elder and Cache counties in Utah.

Emergency loans can help producers replace livestock or equipment, reorganize operations, and refinance certain debts.  To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.  The application deadline is January 19th.

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