Emergency Loan Program

What is this program?

Provides emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine.

Managing USDA Agency	Type of Assistance	Who Should Apply	Learn More
Farm Service Agency (FSA)	Emergency loan funds up to 100% of actual production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000	Farmers and ranchers who own or operate land in a federally declared disaster area	Visit

How can I use this program?

Funds may be used to:

Restore or replace essential property
Pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year
Pay essential family living expenses
Reorganize the farming operation
Refinance certain debts

Who or what is eligible and what are the eligibility requirements?

Farmers and ranchers must:

Own or operate land located in a county declared by the President or designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as a primary disaster area or quarantine area. All counties contiguous to the declared, designated, or quarantined primary counties also are eligible for emergency loans. A disaster designation by the FSA Administrator authorizes emergency loan assistance for physical losses only in the designated and contiguous counties
Have suffered at least a 30% loss in crop production or a physical loss to livestock, livestock products, real estate, or chattel property
Are established family farm operators and have sufficient farming or ranching experience
Are citizens or permanent residents of the United States
Have an acceptable credit history
Are unable to receive credit from commercial sources
Can provide collateral to secure the loan
Have repayment ability

Are there any deadlines?

Applications for emergency loans must be received within eight months of the county’s disaster or quarantine designation date

Is there anything else I should know?

Borrowers:
- Must keep acceptable farm records
- Must operate in accordance with a farm plan they develop and agree to with local FSA staff
- May be required to participate in a financial management training program and obtain crop insurance
Collateral required: All emergency loans must be fully collateralized. If applicants cannot provide adequate collateral, their repayment ability may be considered as collateral to secure the loan. A first lien is required on property or products acquired, produced, or refinanced with loan funds.
Repayment Terms: The repayment schedule will require at least 1 payment every year. Emergency loans for annual operating expenses must be repaid within 12 months, and not to exceed 18 months if an extended term is necessary.
Interest Rate: To find the current emergency loan interest rate, visit fsa.usda.gov/farmloans