USDA Drought Programs and Assistance

Find your local Farm Service Agency (FSA): Map of State FSA Offices
Emergency Disaster Designation and Declaration Process Overview Factsheet
Disaster Designated Counties Map (PDF)

Farm and Food Impacts (ERS)
Agricultural Weather and Drought Updates (last updated 10/03/12)
Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Reports (NASS)

Cooperative Extension Drought Resources (NIFA)
U.S. Drought Monitor
Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch
Drought Ready Communities

Hay Net
Internet-based service allowing farmers and ranchers to share 'Need Hay' ads and 'Have Hay' ads online.

Disaster Resilience for Rural Communities
The goal of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Disaster Resilience for Rural Communities grant program is to advance basic research in engineering and in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences to enhance disaster resilience in rural communities.

Emergency Farm Loans
USDA designated natural disaster areas qualify for low-interest emergency loans. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Disaster Debt-Set-Aside Program Factsheet
Assistance for producers with existing USDA loans. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Guaranteed Farm Loan Program (PDF)
Guaranteed farm loans may be used to construct or repair buildings and fixtures, purchase farmland, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, fuel, insurance, and refinance debt. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Currently insured: Crop insurance basics | Frequently asked questions

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
Production loss coverage for crops when federal crop insurance is not available. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Funding and technical assistance for farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Emergency Haying and Grazing
Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Modification of current EQIP contracts to allow conservation activities to address drought conditions.

Livestock Forage Disaster Assistance Program (LFP) Factsheet | LFP Program Eligibility Maps
Provides cash payments to eligible producers who suffered grazing losses because of drought. Contact local FSA office for additional information.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
USDA is authorizing haying and grazing of WRP easement areas in drought-affected areas where such haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands.

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) (PDF)
Helping communities address watershed impairments that pose imminent threats to lives and property. Contact local NRCS office for additional information.