Federal farm loan help is now available to producers in 21 Nebraska counties hit by major wildfires in March and April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced after approving a request from Gov. Jim Pillen.
The USDA action, signed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, designates four counties as “primary” disaster areas and adds 17 contiguous counties for eligible assistance. The aid can be used to repair or replace essential property, cover production costs tied to the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize a farming operation or refinance some non-real-estate operating debts.
Who qualifies and how to apply
To be eligible, an applicant must be an established farmer and the owner or tenant of the affected farm at the time of the disaster and must intend to continue farming. All applications must be submitted within eight months of the declaration.
Producers should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for application forms and help completing paperwork. Local FSA offices will determine individual eligibility and loan terms.
Counties included
| Primary counties | Contiguous counties |
|---|---|
| Garden, Grant, Lincoln, Morrill | Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawson, Deuel, Frontier, Hayes, Hooker, Keith, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan |
The USDA release follows a separate federal disaster declaration approved last week by President Donald Trump that opened additional funds for public infrastructure recovery in five counties; Arthur County is included in that designation as well as on the USDA list.
“We appreciate the swift response by Secretary Brooke Rollins and the USDA to this request,” Pillen said in a statement announcing Rollins’ approval. “This provides an avenue for producers and farmers to receive much-needed financial support as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby and Minor fires.”
Local impact and next steps
The loan program offers a pathway for producers still recovering from fire-related losses to stabilize operations. Farmers who lost equipment, buildings or livestock feed, or who face crop or rangeland impacts tied to the fires, may find the loans useful for short- and medium-term recovery.
Producers who plan to apply should gather documentation showing farm ownership or tenancy at the time of the fires and records of production and losses. Terms, interest rates and repayment schedules will be determined by local FSA officials based on each applicant’s situation.
- Assistance types: property repair/replacement, production costs, living expenses, reorganization, certain debt refinancing
- Deadline: within eight months of the USDA disaster declaration
- Where to apply: local USDA Farm Service Agency office
State and federal officials have emphasized cooperation between the governor’s office, the USDA and local agencies to speed support to producers. Farmers with questions should contact the nearest FSA office or visit the USDA website for details on documentation and loan application procedures.
Coverage of the wildfires and ongoing recovery efforts remains a priority for local emergency managers and state officials as communities assess long-term impacts on agriculture and rural infrastructure.
