Washington, D.C. – April 24, 2026
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially designated eight parishes in Louisiana as natural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought that began on February 3, 2026. This designation triggers emergency loan assistance for affected farm operators in both primary and contiguous areas.
Farmers in the impacted regions now have access to Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans, provided they meet eligibility requirements. The application deadline for these loans is set for December 24, 2026. Each loan application will be evaluated individually, with considerations given to production losses, repayment ability, and collateral.
The primary parishes affected by the drought include Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Jefferson, Richland, St. Martin, Vernon, and Webster. Additionally, farmers in contiguous counties across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas are eligible for assistance. These include Arkansas counties Columbia, Lafayette, Miller, and Union; Texas counties Cass, Harrison, Marion, Newton, and Panola; and multiple Louisiana parishes such as Allen, Assumption, Beauregard, Bienville, and others.
Farmers seeking guidance on available programs or wishing to file a Notice of Loss are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center. Additional resources, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and Loan Assistance Tool, are available on farmers.gov.
This designation underscores the severity of the drought’s impact on agricultural operations across Louisiana and neighboring states. Farmers are urged to act promptly to secure assistance within the designated timeframe.
For further information, individuals can also explore FEMA’s assistance programs tailored to support citizens and organizations affected by disaster events.