By Blake Jackson
The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for parts of New York following damage caused by freeze conditions, ice floes, and tidal surge between Jan. 26 and Feb. 23, 2026.
The designation allows affected farmers to apply for emergency assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency’s emergency loan program.
Producers in Suffolk County are eligible for the assistance, while neighboring Nassau County also qualifies under the contiguous county designation.
The emergency loans are intended to help agricultural operations recover from disaster-related losses and continue operating after severe weather impacts.
According to the USDA, the funds may be used for several recovery purposes, including replacing damaged equipment or livestock, reorganizing farm operations, and refinancing certain debts.
Loan applications will be evaluated based on the level of production losses, available collateral, and the producer’s ability to repay the loan.
Farmers seeking assistance or wishing to file a Notice of Loss are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center. The application deadline for the program is Dec. 21, 2026.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: New York, Government & Policy, Weather