Farmers in designated counties can apply for financial assistance to recover from wildfire losses and rebuild operations
Wildfires have left a lasting impact on California’s farming communities, but emergency relief is now available to help farmers rebuild and recover.
Farmers are currently eligible for emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) due to a Presidential disaster declaration prompted by severe wildfires. The designated areas for this aid include Los Angeles County and its contiguous counties: Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura.
These emergency loans are intended for recovery efforts, such as replacing lost equipment or livestock, reorganizing farm operations, or refinancing existing debts.
Applications will be accepted until September 8, 2025, with the FSA assessing applications based on the severity of losses, security offered, and the applicant’s ability to repay the loan.
“FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability,” confirms the FSA, ensuring that help is tailored to the needs of the farmers.
Farmers can also utilize tools available on farmers.gov, such as the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and the Loan Assistance Tool, to explore their options. For filing a Notice of Loss or for more immediate program inquiries, farmers should contact their nearest USDA Service Center.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides assistance programs to support individuals and public entities affected by natural disasters. Detailed information on obtaining assistance can be found by visiting fema.gov/assistance.