By Scout Nelson
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing low-interest physical loss loans to agricultural producers affected by severe weather disasters. The assistance is available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and is designed to help farmers and ranchers recover from significant losses.
The loan program supports producers whose property has been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. Eligible applicants can use the funds to repair or replace important farm assets needed to continue agricultural operations.
The disaster declaration covers damage caused by severe thunderstorms, high winds, and tornadoes that occurred on May 15, 2026, and May 18, 2026. These weather events caused losses across parts of Iowa and affected neighboring areas as well.
Physical loss loans can help cover the cost of replacing essential farm buildings, equipment, livestock, harvested crops, stored hay, perennial crops, and fruit or nut-bearing trees. The program also supports repairs to fixtures connected to farm property.
Several Iowa counties have been designated as primary disaster areas.
These counties include:
Cherokee, Clay, Emmet, Hancock, Montgomery, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, and Worth.
In addition, producers located in neighboring counties may also qualify for assistance through the disaster designation.
Eligible contiguous counties in Iowa include:
Adams, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Dickinson, Franklin, Fremont, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Mills, Mitchell, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Pottawattamie, Sac, Sioux, Taylor, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, and Wright.
The disaster declaration also extends assistance eligibility to Minnesota.
These counties include:
Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, and Mower.
These counties may access support because of their proximity to the affected areas.
The program is intended to help producers recover from weather-related damage while maintaining the stability of their farming operations. Access to financial assistance can make it easier to repair infrastructure, replace lost resources, and continue production activities.
FSA evaluates loan applications based on the extent of physical losses, available security, and the applicant’s ability to repay the loan. Farmers and ranchers experiencing disaster-related damage are encouraged to review their eligibility and explore available assistance options.
The deadline to apply for these physical loss loans is April 19, 2027. Producers should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for application details and program requirements.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy, Weather