Governor Greg Gianforte confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated five Montana counties as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions. The announcement, first reported by hpj.com, opens the door for federal emergency loan assistance for farm operators in the hardest-hit regions.
Primary and Contiguous Designations
The USDA identified Dawson, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Wibaux counties as primary disaster areas. These designations were based on documented severe or extreme drought during the current growing season. Under federal rules, this status allows eligible producers in these counties to apply for emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency.
In addition to the primary zones, five contiguous counties—Daniels, Fallon, McCone, Prairie, and Valley—were also designated as disaster areas. This broader classification typically provides access to certain federal assistance programs, though often with different eligibility thresholds than primary designations.
Federal Coordination
The designation follows a formal notification from USDA Undersecretary Brooke Appleton, who informed the governor via letter of the agency’s determination. The process requires state and federal coordination to ensure that agricultural producers can access relief funds quickly as harvest seasons conclude.
Two additional Montana counties, Beaverhead and Ravalli, were listed as adjacent areas through a separate drought designation in Idaho. While not primary disaster zones, this listing may provide limited access to certain USDA programs depending on specific crop losses and local conditions.
Agricultural Impact
Drought remains one of the most persistent challenges for Montana agriculture, particularly in the eastern plains where rainfall has been below average for multiple seasons. The Farm Service Agency emergency loans are designed to help producers cover basic living expenses and operating costs when crop or livestock losses exceed 30 percent.
Gianforte’s office did not provide specific estimates of economic damage or the number of farms expected to apply for assistance. The governor has previously emphasized the importance of federal support for Montana’s agricultural sector during extreme weather events.
What Comes Next
Farm operators in the designated counties can contact their local Farm Service Agency office to begin the application process for emergency loans. Eligibility requirements and loan terms vary depending on the type of loss and the producer’s financial situation.
The USDA typically reviews drought conditions throughout the year, and additional designations may be issued if conditions worsen or expand into other regions. Montana lawmakers have also discussed long-term water infrastructure investments to mitigate future drought impacts, though no new legislation has been introduced in the current interim period.
For more on state-level agricultural policy discussions, see DNRC Accepts Comments on Bison Grazing Proposal Following Supreme Court Order.
