USDA Designates Maine Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas – The designation, announced Friday 11/21, opens up emergency loans to primary and contiguous counties as outlined below. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.
- Triggering Disaster: Drought
- Application Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026
- Primary Counties Eligible
- Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset
- Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
- Maine: Aroostook, Lincoln, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York
- New Hampshire: Carroll and Coos
- Triggering Disaster 2: Drought
- Application Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2026
- Primary Counties Eligible:
- Hancock, Knox, Waldo, and Washington
- Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
- Aroostook, Kennebec, Lincoln, Penobscot, and Somerset
Additionally, NH has also received the disaster declaration for drought. USDA has designated three New Hampshire Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas.
- Impacted Area: New Hampshire
- Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast-Track)
- Application Deadline: 05/22/2026
- Primary Counties Eligible: Belknap, Carroll, Coos
