16 Michigan Counties Declared Primary Natural Disaster Areas

A secretarial natural disaster designation has been declared for 16 Michigan counties as a result three events: frost and freeze April 2 through May 30, 2021; excessive rain June 26 through July 16, 2021; and drought that occurred from May 5, 2021 and continuing. Counties contiguous to the areas are also impacted.

The designation allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

Michigan counties impacted by the frost and freeze have until Sept. 19 to apply for assistance. They include Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and St. Joseph. Contiguous counties also eligible are in Michigan and Indiana. In Michigan, contiguous counties include Benzie, Cass, Kalamazoo, Missaukee, Van Buren, Branch, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Otsego, Wexford, Calhoun, Crawford and Manistee,

The Indiana counties of Elkhart and LaGrange are also eligible for assistance.

Michigan counties impacted by the excessive rain also have until Sept. 19 to apply. The counties include Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Otsego. Contiguous Michigan counties are Benzie, Cheboygan, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Oscoda, Charlevoix, Crawford, Manistee, Montmorency and Wexford,

Drought-impacted counties are eligible to apply by Sept. 19. In Michigan that includes Allegan, Gogebic, Iron, Ontonagon, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Otsego, Baraga, Houghton and Leelanau. Contiguous counties in Michigan are Barry, Kalamazoo, Montmorency, Benzie, Kent, Oscoda, Charlevoix, Keweenaw, Ottawa, Cheboygan, Manistee, Roscommon, Crawford, Marquette, Van Buren, Dickinson, Missaukee and Wexford.

Contiguous Wisconsin counties are Florence, Forest, Iron and Vilas.

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.