WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially recognized Mellette County – the county seat is in White River – as a primary natural disaster area. This designation is in response to the severe drought conditions reported, allowing affected ranchers and farmers to access vital emergency loans for recovery efforts.
Eligible uses for these funds include replacing essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganizing ranching and farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. Loan applications will be assessed based on the extent of the losses, available security, and the producer’s ability to repay.
South Dakota ranchers and farmers in Mellette County, along with those in the contiguous counties of Bennett, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Todd, and Tripp, are encouraged to apply. The deadline for application submissions is set for June 23, 2025.
For further assistance and to explore more resources, producers can visit the farmers.gov website. Here, tools like the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and the Loan Assistance Tool are available to help determine eligibility and suitable program options.
Producers needing to file a Notice of Loss or who have questions about the available programs should contact their local USDA Service Center for more information and guidance.
This support comes at a critical time as the U.S. Drought Monitor has documented prolonged periods of severe to exceptional drought conditions in the area, significantly impacting the local agriculture sector.
