By Blake Jackson
The Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to producers affected by natural disasters.
These loans are designed to help farmers and ranchers recover by covering essential needs such as replacing equipment or livestock, reorganizing operations, or refinancing certain debts. FSA evaluates loan applications based on the severity of losses, available collateral, and the applicant’s repayment ability.
The most recent designation, Presidential Designation M4875, covers areas in Kentucky impacted by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that occurred from May 16 to May 17, 2025.
The initial application deadline for affected producers in the primary counties of Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg, and Union, as well as in contiguous counties, is January 23, 2026.
Subsequent amendments expanded eligibility. Amendment 1 includes additional primary counties such as Adair, Barren, Breathitt, Butler, Carlisle, Casey, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crittenden, and others, with contiguous counties extending eligibility to areas like Allen, Anderson, Bell, Bullitt, and more. The application deadline for these counties is March 23, 2026.
Amendment 2 further designates Allen, Cumberland, and Whitley as primary counties, with surrounding counties including Adair, Barren, Bell, Clinton, Knox, Laurel, McCreary, Metcalfe, Monroe, Russell, Simpson, and Warren also eligible for assistance.
These emergency loans are a critical resource for Kentucky producers working to rebuild and sustain their agricultural operations following devastating weather events.
Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office promptly to apply before the respective deadlines.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy