# FSA Farm Disaster Indemnity and Relief Programs When a hurricane forces dairy farmers to dump their milk supply or a wildfire destroys a herd's forage, federal indemnity and relief programs administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency step in to cove - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/wiki/fsa-farm-disaster-indemnity-programs - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Domain: Agriculture - Category: Farm Programs - Page type: topic - U.S. Code anchor: none - Last verified: 2026-11-01 ## Article When a hurricane forces dairy farmers to dump their milk supply or a wildfire destroys a herd's forage, federal indemnity and relief programs administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency step in to cover losses that crop insurance can't reach. **7 CFR Part 760** is the regulatory home for the FSA's family of disaster payment programs — from the long-standing Dairy Indemnity Payment Program (operating since the 1970s) to newer emergency livestock and crop relief programs Congress has funded after major weather disasters in recent years. ## Current Rule (2026) | Parameter | Value | | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Citation | 7 CFR Part 760 | | Issuing agency | USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) | | Statutory authority | 7 U.S.C. § 4501 (dairy indemnity); 19 U.S.C. § 2497; 16 U.S.C. § 3801 | | Last major amendment | 90 FR 51984 (2025) — Emergency Livestock Relief update | ## What This Rule Does When farm disasters strike — a hurricane contaminates the milk supply, a wildfire forces dairy farmers to dump production, or back-to-back disasters devastate crop revenues — federal indemnity and relief payments through the Farm Service Agency fill the gap between what insurance covers and what farmers actually lost. **7 CFR Part 760** is the regulatory home for a family of FSA disaster payment programs, each responding to different types of farm losses. The programs in Part 760 range from the long-standing **Dairy Indemnity Payment Program (DIPP)** — which has been operating since the 1970s and pays dairy farmers when public health authorities order milk off the market due to pesticide residues — to newer programs Congress created after major disaster years. Recent additions include the **Milk Loss Program** (MLP) for disaster-related milk dumping, the **Emergency Relief Program** (ERP) for crop losses, the **Quality Loss Adjustment Program** (QLAP) for harvest-ready crops damaged in quality but not destroyed, the **On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program**, and the **Emergency Livestock Relief Program** (ELRP) for livestock feed and forage losses. FSA updates the Part frequently as Congress authorizes new disaster assistance following each major weather event cycle. The programs share a common administrative structure: FSA's Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs sets national policy, state and county FSA committees implement at the local level, and eligible producers apply at their county FSA office within program-specific deadlines. Payments are generally funded through supplemental appropriations or the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), not through annual appropriations — meaning they are available when disasters occur rather than being limited to a fixed annual budget. ## Key Programs and Provisions **Dairy Indemnity Payment Program (Subpart A)** - **§ 760.10** — Pays dairy farmers for cows that a public agency determines will be unsellable for 3 or more months due to pesticide residues or chemical contamination; eligibility determined by FSA's Deputy Administrator based on milk test results and cow condition - **§ 760.11** — Extends coverage to bred and open heifers when the farm's dairy cows are already eligible under § 760.10 - **§ 760.12** — Application requires full inventory of all dairy cows (lactating, dry, and heifers), all feed on hand, and records of the contamination event - **§ 760.20** — Also pays dairy product manufacturers (cheese plants, butter facilities, etc.) for affected dairy products removed from commercial markets; payment equals fair market value minus any salvage recovered - **§ 760.21** — Manufacturers apply through their local county FSA office to the Deputy Administrator in Washington **Milk Loss Program (Subpart Q)** - **§ 760.1700** — Pays dairy farmers for milk that was dumped or sold at a loss because of qualifying disasters: drought, wildfire, hurricane, flood, derecho, tornado, excessive heat, excessive cold, excessive moisture, and other qualifying events - **§ 760.1703** — Eligible farmers must be U.S. citizens, resident aliens, or eligible partnerships; same citizenship/legal presence requirements that apply across FSA programs - **§ 760.1704** — Payment equals **75% of the fair market value** of the farmer's normal milk sales for the application period; "normal marketings" is calculated by the county committee based on prior production history **Emergency Relief Program (ERP — Subpart S)** - **§ 760.1900** — Phase 2 ERP covers producers with crop losses from qualifying disasters in calendar years 2020 and 2021; Phase 1 payments (based on insurance proceeds) were a separate earlier round - **§ 760.1902** — Eligibility requires a documented drop in disaster-year allowable gross revenue below the producer's benchmark allowable gross revenue, caused by necessary expenses from the qualifying disaster - **§ 760.1905** — FSA calculates payments separately for specialty/high-value crops and other crops; payment is based on the revenue gap, not direct crop loss measurement - **§ 760.1904** — Applications filed on FSA-521 at the county FSA office by announced deadline **Other Programs** - **Subpart P** (On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss) — covers stored grain and commodity losses from disaster events on-farm - **Subpart R** (Quality Loss Adjustment Program) — covers harvest-ready crops that were damaged in quality (grade, weight, condition) but not completely destroyed; pays for the value of quality reduction - **Subpart V** (Supplemental Disaster Relief Program — 28 sections, largest subpart) — most recent broad disaster relief authorization - **Subpart T/U** (Emergency Livestock Relief Program 2023–2024) — covers livestock feed and forage costs imposed by 2023 and 2024 qualifying disaster events; 90 FR 51984 (2025) updated these rules ## How It Affects You **If you operate a dairy farm**: The Dairy Indemnity Payment Program is a permanent, standing program — you don't need Congress to pass emergency legislation to access it if your milk is ordered off the market due to pesticide or chemical contamination. Contact your county FSA office immediately when a public agency orders your milk removed from commerce. You'll need a full inventory of affected cows and documentation of the contamination order. The Milk Loss Program covers the separate scenario of disaster-caused dumping (a flood cuts off your pickup route, extreme heat reduces production) — this typically requires a program signup period. **If you grow crops**: Emergency relief programs like ERP are retrospective — they are funded and opened for sign-up after major disaster events occur. You cannot apply for ERP now unless an active program sign-up period is open for a year in which you had losses. FSA announces program periods after Congress appropriates funds. Keep good production records and disaster documentation — FSA will ask for them. The Quality Loss Adjustment Program is particularly relevant if you had a crop that survived but arrived at the elevator at a lower grade than expected. **If you raise livestock**: The Emergency Livestock Relief Programs (ELRP) for 2023–2024 cover feed costs that spiked due to qualifying disasters. FSA uses existing records (Livestock Forage Disaster Program data, crop insurance) to calculate payments automatically for many participants — check with your county office whether you need to take action or whether payment is automatic. The 2025 regulatory update (90 FR 51984) adjusted payment calculations for the most recent program years. **If you are a dairy product manufacturer**: DIPP coverage for manufacturers requires applying through your county FSA office to the Washington headquarters; payment covers the fair market value of contaminated product removed from commerce minus any salvage proceeds. Keep documentation of market value at the time of removal and any amounts recovered through salvage or insurance. ## Statutory Authority This rule implements: - **7 U.S.C. § 4501** (Agricultural Programs Adjustment Act) — Core authority for the Dairy Indemnity Payment Program - **19 U.S.C. § 2497** — Trade Act authority applicable to certain international trade-related agricultural assistance - **16 U.S.C. § 3801** — Food Security Act provisions referenced for certain commodity program eligibility standards ## Recent Rulemakings - **90 FR 51984 (2025)** — Most recent amendment, updating 16 sections in the Emergency Livestock Relief Program subparts (Subparts T and U); reflects 2023–2024 disaster-year adjustments to payment calculations and eligibility - **88 FR 62290 (2023)** — 13 sections updated; established or modified provisions across multiple subparts as Congress funded new rounds of disaster relief - **84 FR 48534 (2019)** — 11 sections; added or updated programs following major 2018–2019 disaster events - **83 FR 33801 (2018)** — 16 sections; established the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP) provisions following the 2017 hurricane season ## Recent Developments - **Ongoing disaster supplemental appropriations**: Congress has continued funding emergency disaster assistance through ad hoc supplemental appropriations that add subparts to 7 CFR Part 1416 or create new FSA disaster programs outside Part 1416. The pattern — major disaster events followed by Congressional supplemental funding with FSA rulemaking to implement — has repeated annually through 2025–2026. FSA's rulemaking capacity has been strained by the frequency and volume of disaster program amendments. - **2023–2024 drought and wildfire claims**: Significant drought conditions in the Western U.S. and major wildfire seasons in 2023 and 2024 generated large ELAP and LFP claim volumes. Livestock producers in drought-affected areas applied for LFP benefits for grazing losses and ELAP benefits for additional feed costs. FSA county offices processed increased workloads; processing timelines and accuracy of payment calculations were subject to OIG review. - **Farm Bill 2025 and disaster program reauthorization**: Disaster indemnity programs under Part 1416 are authorized through the Farm Bill, and reauthorization determines program parameters and funding levels for the next five-year cycle. Farm Bill 2025 discussions included proposals to modify payment rate formulas, adjust the cost-share structures, and streamline documentation requirements that producers have criticized as burdensome in the aftermath of disasters. - **DOGE and FSA staffing (2025)**: USDA Farm Service Agency experienced workforce reductions under the Trump administration's DOGE initiative in 2025. FSA county offices, which process ELAP, LFP, SURE, and other Part 1416 claims, were affected by staff buyouts and hiring freezes. County office staffing reductions coincided with ongoing disaster claims processing, creating capacity concerns among agricultural producer groups in disaster-affected regions. On February 13, 2026, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that FSA has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion for 2023 and 2024 drought, flood, and wildfire losses. The announcement marks the completion of the ELRP payment cycle for those two disaster years, which had been updated by the 2025 rulemaking at 90 FR 51984. Producers who applied for ELRP 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire benefits should confirm receipt of their final payments through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Feb. 13, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/02-13-2026/usda-issues-final-emergency-livestock-relief-program-payments-2023-2024) On March 18, 2026, FSA Administrator William L. Beam signed Administrator's Physical Loss Notification N1932, designating a severe winter storm in Arkansas (January 23–February 6, 2026) as a qualifying disaster event under 7 CFR Part 759. The designation covers the majority of Arkansas counties as primary counties, with additional contiguous counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas also eligible. Under 7 CFR § 759.6(2), Emergency Loans are available to producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties, with applications accepted through November 4, 2026. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 18, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-18-2026/administrators-physical-loss-notification-n1932) On March 20, 2026, FSA issued Presidential Disaster Designation M4900, Amendment 1, making Emergency Loans available to producers in three contiguous Arkansas counties (Ashley, Chicot, and Union) affected by severe winter storms in Louisiana from January 23–27, 2026. The primary disaster counties are in Louisiana (Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and West Carroll), with contiguous eligibility extending to additional counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Under 7 CFR § 759.6(2), producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through November 4, 2026. This designation is distinct from the Arkansas-centered Administrator's Physical Loss Notification N1932 (March 18, 2026) already noted above, which covered a separate winter storm event. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 20, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-20-2026/presidential-disaster-designation-m4900-amendment-1) On March 23, 2026, FSA announced the availability of low-interest physical loss loans for producers affected by the severe winter storm of January 23–February 6, 2026, covering primary and contiguous counties across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. This designation is related to but distinct from Administrator's Physical Loss Notification N1932 (March 18, 2026) already noted above: the March 23 announcement adds Oklahoma as a newly covered state and sets an application deadline of November 16, 2026, differing from the November 4, 2026 deadline in the earlier notification. Eligible physical losses include farm buildings, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, and harvested or stored crops and hay. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 23, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-23-2026/usda-announces-availability-low-interest-physical-loss-loans-producers) On March 25, 2026, USDA designated Jefferson County, Indiana as a primary natural disaster area due to excessive moisture occurring from April 1 through December 31, 2025, with contiguous eligibility extending to Clark, Jennings, Ripley, Scott, and Switzerland counties in Indiana and Carroll and Trimble counties in Kentucky. The Secretarial designation makes FSA Emergency Loans available to producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties, with applications accepted through November 12, 2026. Emergency loan funds may be used for replacement of equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 25, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-25-2026/usda-designate-2-kentucky-counties-contiguous-natural-disaster-areas) On March 26, 2026, USDA announced disaster assistance availability for agricultural producers in Alabama affected by recent severe weather including tornadoes, straight-line winds, snow, sleet, and hail. Eligible producers may apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), with notices of loss due no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses. Orchardists and nursery tree growers may seek cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), with applications required within 90 days of the disaster event or the date the loss becomes apparent. FSA also noted availability of Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and low-interest emergency farm loans for producers in designated primary or contiguous disaster counties. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 26, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-26-2026/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-agricultural-producers-alabama-impacted) On March 26, 2026, USDA announced disaster assistance availability for agricultural producers in Michigan affected by recent winter storms. Eligible producers may apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) — including compensation for feed and grazing losses, hay lift equipment rental, and snow removal costs — with notices of loss due no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses. Orchardists and nursery tree growers may seek cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), with applications required within 90 days of the disaster event or the date the loss becomes apparent. FSA also noted availability of Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and low-interest emergency farm loans for producers in designated primary or contiguous disaster counties. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 26, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-26-2026/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-agricultural-producers-michigan) On March 26, 2026, USDA announced disaster assistance availability for agricultural producers in Wisconsin affected by recent winter storms. Eligible producers may apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) — including compensation for feed and grazing losses, hay lift equipment rental, and snow removal costs — with notices of loss due no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses. Orchardists and nursery tree growers may seek cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), with applications required within 90 days of the disaster event or the date the loss becomes apparent. FSA also noted availability of Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and low-interest emergency farm loans for producers in designated primary or contiguous disaster counties. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 26, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-26-2026/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-agricultural-producers-wisconsin) On March 26, 2026, USDA announced disaster assistance availability for agricultural producers in South Dakota affected by recent winter storms. Eligible producers may apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) — including compensation for feed and grazing losses, hay lift equipment rental, and snow removal costs — with notices of loss due no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses. Orchardists and nursery tree growers may seek cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), with applications required within 90 days of the disaster event or the date the loss becomes apparent. FSA also noted availability of Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and low-interest emergency farm loans for producers in designated primary or contiguous disaster counties. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 26, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-26-2026/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-agricultural-producers-south-dakota) On March 26, 2026, USDA announced disaster assistance availability for agricultural producers in Iowa affected by recent winter storms. Eligible producers may apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) — including compensation for feed and grazing losses, hay lift equipment rental, and snow removal costs — with notices of loss due no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses. Orchardists and nursery tree growers may seek cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), with applications required within 90 days of the disaster event or the date the loss becomes apparent. FSA also noted availability of Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and low-interest emergency farm loans for producers in designated primary or contiguous disaster counties. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 26, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-26-2026/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-agricultural-producers-iowa-impacted) On March 26, 2026, USDA announced disaster assistance availability for agricultural producers in Minnesota affected by recent winter storms. Eligible producers may apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) — including compensation for feed and grazing losses, hay lift equipment rental, and snow removal costs — with notices of loss due no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses. Orchardists and nursery tree growers may seek cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), with applications required within 90 days of the disaster event or the date the loss becomes apparent. FSA also noted availability of Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds and low-interest emergency farm loans for producers in designated primary or contiguous disaster counties. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 26, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-26-2026/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-agricultural-producers-minnesota) On March 30, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for seven Indiana counties as natural disaster areas due to excessive rain, making FSA Emergency Loans available to producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. This designation is distinct from the earlier March 25, 2026 designation covering Jefferson County, Indiana (and contiguous counties) for excessive moisture losses occurring April 1–December 31, 2025. Emergency loan funds may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 30, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-30-2026/usda-designates-7-indiana-counties-natural-disaster-areas-due-excessive) On March 30, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for three Montana counties as primary natural disaster areas due to hail, high winds, and heavy rain, making FSA Emergency Loans available to producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency loan funds may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the March 30, 2026 designation covering seven Indiana counties for excessive rain losses noted above. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 30, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-30-2026/usda-designates-three-montana-counties-primary-natural-disaster-areas) On March 31, 2026, FSA Administrator William L. Beam signed Administrator's Physical Loss Notifications N1915, N1916, and N1917, designating Mississippi counties as qualifying disaster areas for physical losses. Under 7 CFR § 759.6(2), Emergency Loans are available to producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated primary and contiguous counties. These notifications are separate from the winter-storm-related physical loss notifications covering Arkansas, Louisiana, and multi-state areas issued earlier in March 2026. Producers in designated Mississippi counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 31, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-31-2026/administrators-physical-loss-notification-n1915-n1916-n1917) On March 31, 2026, FSA Administrator William L. Beam signed Administrator's Physical Loss Notifications N1919, N1920, N1921, and N1922, designating additional Mississippi counties as qualifying disaster areas for physical losses. Under 7 CFR § 759.6(2), Emergency Loans are available to producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated primary and contiguous counties. These notifications are separate from the same-day designations under N1915, N1916, and N1917 (also March 31, 2026) covering Mississippi counties, as well as the winter-storm-related physical loss notifications covering Arkansas, Louisiana, and multi-state areas issued earlier in March 2026. Producers in designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 31, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-31-2026/administrators-physical-loss-notification-n1919-n1920-n1921-n1922) On March 31, 2026, USDA announced the availability of low-interest physical loss loans for producers in South Dakota affected by natural disasters, covering repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the March 23, 2026 multi-state physical loss loan announcement covering the January 23–February 6, 2026 winter storm across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas already noted above. Eligible producers in designated South Dakota counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Mar. 31, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/03-31-2026/usda-announces-availability-low-interest-physical-loss-loans-producers) On April 1, 2026, USDA announced the availability of low-interest physical loss loans for producers in Nebraska affected by natural disasters, covering repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the March 31, 2026 South Dakota physical loss loan announcement and the March 23, 2026 multi-state announcement covering the January 23–February 6, 2026 winter storm already noted above. Eligible producers in designated Nebraska counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 1, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-01-2026/usda-announces-availability-emergency-low-interest-physical-loss-loans) On April 6, 2026, FEMA designated 15 counties in Tennessee as natural disaster areas due to a severe winter storm, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Under the Presidential disaster declaration, Emergency Loans may be used to meet recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the winter-storm-related physical loss notifications covering Arkansas, Louisiana, and multi-state areas issued in March 2026 already noted above. Eligible producers in designated Tennessee counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 6, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-06-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-15-counties-tennessee-0) On April 6, 2026, FEMA designated 16 counties in Mississippi as natural disaster areas due to a severe winter storm, with three contiguous counties in Tennessee also made eligible, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the same-day designation covering 15 Tennessee counties as primary natural disaster areas already noted above, and from the winter-storm-related physical loss notifications covering Arkansas, Louisiana, and multi-state areas issued in March 2026. Eligible producers in designated Mississippi and contiguous Tennessee counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 6, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-06-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-16-counties-mississippi) On April 7, 2026, FEMA designated 15 counties in Tennessee as natural disaster areas due to a severe winter storm, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the April 6, 2026 designation also covering 15 Tennessee counties as primary natural disaster areas (and the same-day designation covering 16 Mississippi counties) already noted above. Eligible producers in designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 7, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-07-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-15-counties-tennessee) On April 8, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for 20 Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a winter storm, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the winter-storm-related physical loss notifications and FEMA designations covering Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and multi-state areas issued in March and early April 2026 already noted above. Eligible producers in designated Florida counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 8, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-08-2026/usda-designates-20-counties-florida-primary-natural-disaster-areas-due) On April 8, 2026, FEMA designated two counties in Mississippi as natural disaster areas due to a freeze and tornado, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the April 6, 2026 designation covering 16 Mississippi counties for a severe winter storm already noted above. Eligible producers in designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 8, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-08-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-two-counties-0) On April 8, 2026, FEMA designated three counties in Mississippi as natural disaster areas due to high winds, tornado, excessive rain, and flash flooding, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the April 6, 2026 designation covering 16 Mississippi counties for a severe winter storm and the April 8, 2026 designation covering two Mississippi counties for a freeze and tornado, both already noted above. Eligible producers in designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 8, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-08-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-3-counties-mississippi) On April 8, 2026, FEMA designated one county in Mississippi as a natural disaster area due to high winds, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated county. Emergency Loans may be used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the April 8, 2026 designation covering three Mississippi counties for high winds, tornado, excessive rain, and flash flooding, and the April 6, 2026 designation covering 16 Mississippi counties for a severe winter storm, both already noted above. Eligible producers in the designated county may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 8, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-08-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-one-mississippi-county) On April 8, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for three California counties as primary natural disaster areas, with three contiguous counties in Nevada also made eligible, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the other April 8, 2026 designations covering Florida and Mississippi counties already noted above. Eligible producers in designated California and contiguous Nevada counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 8, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-08-2026/usda-designates-three-california-counties-natural-disaster-areas) On April 8, 2026, FEMA designated five counties in Mississippi as natural disaster areas due to high winds, tornado, lightning, excessive rain, and flash flooding, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the April 8, 2026 designation covering three Mississippi counties for high winds, tornado, excessive rain, and flash flooding, and the April 8, 2026 designation covering two Mississippi counties for a freeze and tornado, both already noted above. Eligible producers in designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 8, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-08-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-5-counties-mississippi) On April 9, 2026, FEMA designated one county in Mississippi as a natural disaster area due to high winds, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated county. Emergency Loans may be used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to agricultural operations, including farm buildings, equipment, and livestock. This designation is separate from the April 8, 2026 designation covering one Mississippi county for high winds and the April 8, 2026 designation covering five Mississippi counties for high winds, tornado, lightning, excessive rain, and flash flooding, both already noted above. Eligible producers in the designated county may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 9, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-09-2026/federal-emergency-management-agency-designates-one-mississippi-county) On April 9, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for seven Indiana counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a dust storm and high winds, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the March 30, 2026 Secretarial designation covering seven Indiana counties for excessive rain losses already noted above. Eligible producers in designated Indiana counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 9, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-09-2026/usda-designates-7-indiana-counties-natural-disaster-areas-due-dust) On April 9, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for Carver, Kandiyohi, and Pope counties in Minnesota as primary natural disaster areas due to excessive rain, high winds, hail, and lightning occurring in 2025, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the March 26, 2026 announcement of disaster assistance availability for Minnesota producers affected by recent winter storms already noted above. Eligible producers in designated Minnesota counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 9, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-09-2026/usda-designates-carver-kandiyohi-pope-counties-minnesota-natural) On April 10, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for nine New Hampshire counties as primary natural disaster areas, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the other spring 2026 Secretarial and FEMA designations covering Indiana, Minnesota, Florida, Mississippi, California, and other states already noted above. Eligible producers in designated New Hampshire counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 10, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-10-2026/usda-designates-9-new-hampshire-counties-natural-disaster-areas) On April 10, 2026, USDA issued a separate Secretarial natural disaster designation for three New Hampshire counties as primary natural disaster areas, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. This designation is distinct from the same-day designation covering nine New Hampshire counties already noted above, and from the other spring 2026 Secretarial and FEMA designations covering Indiana, Minnesota, Florida, Mississippi, California, and other states. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. Eligible producers in the designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 10, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-10-2026/usda-designates-3-new-hampshire-counties-natural-disaster-areas) On April 10, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for eight Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas due to tornadoes, excessive rain, flash flooding, hail, high winds, and lightning, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the other spring 2026 Secretarial and FEMA designations covering Indiana, Minnesota, Florida, Mississippi, California, New Hampshire, and other states already noted above. Eligible producers in designated Texas counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 10, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-10-2026/usda-designates-eight-texas-counties-natural-disaster-areas-due) On April 10, 2026, USDA issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation for 107 counties across seven states as primary or contiguous natural disaster areas, triggering FSA Emergency Loan availability for producers with qualifying physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency Loans may be used to meet various recovery needs including replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, farming operation reorganization, or refinancing of certain disaster-related debts. This designation is separate from the other April 10, 2026 Secretarial designations covering New Hampshire and Texas counties already noted above. Eligible producers in designated counties may apply for Emergency Loans through their county FSA office. [(USDA FSA, Apr. 10, 2026)](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/04-10-2026/usda-designates-107-counties-seven-states-natural-disaster-areas) ## Pending Action Farm Bill 2025 reauthorization is the central pending action for FSA disaster programs. The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have been working toward a five-year Farm Bill that includes reauthorization of disaster assistance programs under 7 CFR Parts 760 and 1416 — with proposals to increase payment rate formulas, expand covered disaster types, and streamline FSA county office documentation requirements. FSA's DOGE-era staffing reductions create implementation risk: new programs Congress funds require adequate county office capacity to process claims accurately and timely. Producers who experienced losses from qualifying 2025 disaster events should monitor FSA announcements for program signup periods, which typically open 6–18 months after qualifying events following Congressional appropriation and FSA rulemaking. ## Sources - [FSA Farm Disaster Indemnity and Relief Programs on PolicyRisk](https://policyrisk.com/wiki/fsa-farm-disaster-indemnity-programs) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/wiki/fsa-farm-disaster-indemnity-programs (as of 2026-11-01).