LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — Farmers in Loudoun County are eligible to apply for emergency loan assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) due to ongoing drought conditions this year.
Earlier this week, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issued a drought watch for Loudoun and the region.
USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack, declared Loudoun and 14 additional Virginia counties are "primary natural disaster areas," this allows the FSA to offer emergency loans to farmers affected by the drought. Counties included in the disaster areas are as followed:
- Albemarle
- Augusta
- Clarke
- Fauquier
- Frederick
- Greene
- Highland
- Madison
- Page
- Rappahannock
- Rockingham
- Shenandoah
- Warren
- The city of Waynesboro
Farmers located within these areas have eight months from the date of declaration to apply for the funds. Additionally, some may also qualify for drought assistance from the FSA.
More information on available assistance programs and the application process is available on the Virginia FSA State Office website.