Ohio counties designated disaster areas due to severe drought

By Andi Anderson

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared two Ohio counties, Ottawa and Wood, as primary natural disaster areas due to prolonged drought conditions.

This designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loan assistance to farmers in these primary counties and in surrounding contiguous counties.

The extended credit aims to support farmers as they recover from significant drought-related losses and sustain their agricultural operations.

Farmers in the primary counties, as well as those in eligible neighboring counties, can apply for these FSA emergency loans. The loans can be used to replace essential items such as equipment and livestock, reorganize farming operations, or refinance certain debts incurred as a result of the drought.

Loans will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with eligibility based on factors like the severity of losses, security available, and the farmer’s ability to repay.

The affected contiguous counties eligible for assistance include Erie, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Putnam, Sandusky, and Seneca in Ohio. The deadline to apply for this emergency loan assistance is July 7, 2025, providing farmers several months to gather necessary documentation and submit applications to the FSA.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties experienced severe drought conditions during the growing season, including either a “D2 Severe Drought” status for eight or more consecutive weeks or even more extreme drought intensities classified as “D3 Extreme” or “D4 Exceptional.”

This loan assistance is a lifeline for farmers who are struggling with drought-related challenges. By providing support to replace damaged equipment, reorganize operations, or pay off debts, the USDA aims to help farmers recover their livelihood and continue contributing to Ohio’s agricultural economy.

For further information on eligibility and loan application procedures, affected producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office.

With this emergency support, the USDA hopes to ease the financial strain on Ohio’s farming communities and help them recover from this year’s severe drought conditions.

Photo Credit: usda