Washington, Oregon counties declared natural disaster areas
The USDA has designated 11 counties in Washington as primary natural disaster areas following excessive heat in 2023.
It also designated five counties in Oregon and 11 additional counties in Washington as contiguous counties also eligible for financial assistance, according to a news release.
The USDA said this designation allows growers in those counties to apply for Farm Service Agency emergency loans up to $500,000 to replace equipment, refinance debts or reorganize farming operations.
Primary natural disasters in Washington include Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Yakima counties. Contiguous counties also eligible for emergency loans include Columbia, Ferry, King, Lewis, Lincoln, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Whatcom and Whitman counties in Washington, along with Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla and Wasco counties in Oregon.
Deadline for applications is Nov. 14.
