Drought loan assistance available

OTHELLO — While Adams county has not been designated as a natural disaster due to drought this year, some local farmers may still be eligible for emergency loan assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Six counties — Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan and Skagit — were designated as primary natural disaster areas due to drought this year.

Farmers in those counties — and contiguous counties — may be eligible for assistance.

That means farmers in Adams, Franklin and Lincoln Counties may be eligible for emergency loan assistance from the Farm Service Agency.

Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs, including replacement of equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or to refinance certain debts, USDA officials said.

The Farm Service Agency will review loan applications based on extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

Farmers wanting emergency loan assistance have until April 21, 2025 to apply.