Virginia farmers statewide now eligible for USDA drought emergency loans

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - An additional 40 Virginia localities have received drought disaster designations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, bringing the total number of designated localities in the Commonwealth to 125 in 2026.

The additions mean all Virginia counties now carry a USDA drought disaster designation for the current drought.

Farmers in 19 primary designated counties — including Caroline, Culpeper, Hanover, Montgomery, and Spotsylvania — are eligible to apply for certain assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Farmers in eight additional counties and 13 independent cities contiguous to primary designated areas are also eligible for FSA drought emergency assistance.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, designated localities experienced a drought intensity value during the growing season of either a D2 Drought-Severe rating for eight or more consecutive weeks, or a D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional rating.

Drought disaster assistance includes FSA emergency loans. FSA will assess each emergency loan application individually based on specific circumstances and needs, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible localities have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply.

Farmers can apply here for emergency assistance.

For a full list of the 125 Virginia localities with a drought disaster designation in 2026, visit the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website.