Farm operators in 10 Montana counties eligible for drought disaster loans

HELENA, Mont. — Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 10 Montana counties as primary natural disaster areas because of drought, opening the door for emergency loan help for some farmers.

According to a letter received from USDA Undersecretary Brooke Appleton, Beaverhead, Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Liberty, Madison, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties met the standard after severe or extreme drought during the growing season.

That designation made farm operators in those counties eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency emergency loans if they met program requirements. The agency reviews each application individually based on farm production losses and the operator’s ability to repay, the governor’s office said.

USDA also designated 11 neighboring counties as contiguous disaster areas: Blaine, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Ravalli and Silver Bow. Farmers in those counties also qualified for federal emergency agricultural aid.

Drought conditions are measured through the U.S. Drought Monitor, using D2, D3 and D4 categories. Examples include low or dry livestock ponds, very little water for cattle, crops that could not be harvested and widespread pasture loss.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. State officials encourage affected producers to contact their local Farm Service Agency office for more information.