COLFAX, WA – The USDA has announced that, according to the US Drought Monitor, Latah and Whitman counties recently suffered from a drought during the growing season and included them in the primary natural disaster area.

The natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to extend emergency loans to producers recovering from the drought.

The emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs like the replacement of livestock or equipment, reorganization of a farming operation, or refinancing of certain debts.

The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

The application deadline for those emergency relief loans is March 16, 2026. Submit your application at the link in our article.