By Blake Jackson
The Secretarial natural disaster designation enables the United States Department of Agriculture to provide critical financial assistance to agricultural producers affected by severe hail damage in New York.
Through this designation, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) can offer emergency loans to help farmers recover from disaster-related losses and stabilize their operations.
These emergency loans are designed to support a wide range of recovery needs. Eligible uses include replacing essential farm equipment or livestock, repairing or reorganizing farm operations, and refinancing certain existing debts tied to disaster impacts.
Loan applications are evaluated based on the extent of documented losses, the security available, and the producer’s ability to repay.
Saratoga County has been identified as the primary county eligible for assistance. In addition, producers in contiguous New York counties are Albany, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington may also qualify for support under this designation.
Producers seeking assistance must file an application by August 17, 2026. Farmers are encouraged to act promptly to ensure they meet all eligibility and documentation requirements.
For more information, including how to file a Notice of Loss or learn about additional disaster recovery programs, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: New York, Government & Policy, Weather