By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designates Pipestone, Rock, and St. Louis counties in Minnesota as natural disaster areas because of drought conditions. The designation gives eligible farmers and ranchers access to emergency assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The natural disaster designation is intended to help agricultural producers manage financial losses caused by severe weather conditions. Farmers affected by the drought can apply for FSA emergency loans to support their recovery and continue their farming operations.
FSA reviews each emergency loan application based on several factors. These include the amount of damage or loss caused by the disaster, the security available for the loan and the producer's ability to repay the loan. Eligible producers must meet the agency's requirements before receiving assistance.
The USDA disaster designation covers three Minnesota counties. St. Louis County qualifies under one drought disaster designation, while Pipestone and Rock counties qualify under another designation.
For St. Louis County, the triggering disaster is a drought event that begins on June 23, 2026. The county meets the drought conditions required for the USDA designation. Producers who qualify under this disaster designation have until May 3, 2027, to apply for emergency loans.
For Pipestone and Rock counties, the triggering drought event began on June 9, 2026. Eligible producers in these counties have until May 10, 2027, to submit applications for emergency loans.
Under the requirements for this designation, affected counties experience either D2 Severe Drought for eight or more consecutive weeks during the growing season, or more serious drought conditions classified as D3 Extreme Drought or D4 Exceptional Drought.
The designation does not automatically provide funds to every producer in the affected counties. Instead, it makes eligible producers able to apply for emergency loans through the FSA program. Applicants must meet the program's rules and complete the required process.
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Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy, Weather