Fifteen localities in Virginia including Augusta County, Rockingham County and the City of Waynesboro have been designated primary disaster areas due to drought conditions.
The disaster declaration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows farms to apply for emergency loan assistance to combat the challenges associated with the lack of water.
In Augusta County, the USDA designation follows the declaration of local drought emergency by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors on July 24.
Primary disaster areas in Virginia
- Albemarle County
- Augusta County
- Clarke County
- Fauquier County
- Frederick County
- Greene County
- Highland County
- Loudoun County
- Madison County
- Page County
- Rappahannock County
- Rockingham County
- Shenandoah County
- Warren County
- Waynesboro City
Farmers in Bath, Culpeper, Buckingham, Fairfax, Fluvanna, Orange, Louisa, Nelson, Stafford, Prince William, and Rockbridge counties and the cities of Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Staunton and Winchester are also eligible for drought emergency assistance, as they are contiguous to the 15 primary localities.
Application information
Farmers have eight months to apply for the Farm Service Agency emergency loans and must meet eligibility requirements.
FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator.
Farmers in Augusta County may contact the Farm Service Agency office in Verona with questions at (540) 248-6218. Farmers throughout Virginia may call (804) 287-1500.
Additional resources
FSA disaster assistance programs
USDA Disaster programs at a glance
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Crystal Graham
