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In a significant move, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has classified 61 counties across Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions. This decision underscores the challenges faced by the state’s agricultural sector, which has been grappling with prolonged dry spells.
To assist affected farmers and producers, the USDA, in collaboration with the Farm Service Agency, is offering emergency loans. These loans aim to provide financial relief and support recovery efforts, allowing producers to invest in essential equipment for livestock, restructure their farming operations, or refinance existing debts.
The breadth of this designation covers a wide range of counties, including those in the Tampa Bay region, where local farmers are striving to overcome the adverse impacts of the drought. The list of eligible counties stretches beyond Tampa Bay, encompassing Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
By extending this emergency credit, the USDA aims to stabilize the agricultural landscape in Florida, ensuring that farmers and producers have the necessary resources to recover and sustain their livelihoods amid challenging environmental conditions.
- Citrus
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Manatee
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
Other eligible counties are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the 61 counties in Florida have suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of a severe drought for eight or more consecutive weeks, or drought-extreme or drought-exceptional.
The deadline for the application is Dec. 10, 2026.
For more information, visit their website.