By Blake Jackson
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for producers in New York affected by Hurricane Debby.
This designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to help farmers recover from the disaster.
These loans can assist with replacing vital equipment, purchasing livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts.
FSA will evaluate loan applications based on the severity of losses, available collateral, and the borrower’s ability to repay.
In addition to the primary affected area in New York, several contiguous counties are also eligible for assistance. These include Albany, Allegany, Chemung, Dutchess, Fulton, Hamilton, Lewis, Livingston, Montgomery, Ontario, Oswego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Schenectady, Schuyler, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Washington, and Yates.
Farmers seeking help can use resources such as the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and Loan Assistance Tool to explore their options. The Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet provides additional details.
To file a Notice of Loss or inquire about available programs, producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center. The application deadline for emergency loan assistance is July 28, 2025.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: New York, Government & Policy