USDA Expands Drought Disaster Areas in Upper Midwest
New counties in Minnesota and South Dakota receive disaster designations due to ongoing drought conditions.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Agriculture
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially designated additional counties across Minnesota and South Dakota as drought disaster areas for the 2026 crop year. This action grants agricultural producers in these locations access to federal emergency loans and disaster assistance programs.
Why it matters
The designations are a direct response to drought conditions that reached D2, D3, or D4 intensity during the 2026 growing season. These federal measures are essential for supporting local farmers affected by prolonged environmental stress.
Nationwide, there are 1,409 total county disaster declarations and 520 contiguous county designations. Designations are triggered when areas experience D2 drought intensity for eight weeks or reach D3 or D4 levels.
The players
Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Armstrong is the Governor of North Dakota who declared a statewide drought disaster in August 2026.
Larry Rhoden
Larry Rhoden is the Governor of South Dakota who declared a drought emergency in July 2026.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing laws related to farming, forestry, and food.
Rural Finance Authority
The Rural Finance Authority is an entity that provides specialized loan programs for agricultural producers during periods of disaster.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency is a branch of the USDA that implements federal agricultural policy and manages emergency loan applications for producers.
The details
Producers in the affected regions must apply for emergency support through their local Farm Service Agency offices. The recent update on October 16 added several primary and contiguous counties in Minnesota and South Dakota to the existing list of eligible disaster zones.
Timeline
July 2026: South Dakota governor declared a drought emergency.
August 2026: North Dakota governor declared a statewide drought disaster.
September 25, 2026: Six North Dakota counties were designated as disaster areas.
October 8, 2026: The USDA listed nine primary eligible counties in Minnesota.
October 16, 2026: New primary and contiguous counties were added in Minnesota and South Dakota.
Market Landscape
The disaster designations are managed through the U.S. Drought Monitor intensity criteria, which provide a standardized framework for federal resource allocation. This system ensures that agricultural support remains aligned with quantified environmental data across different states.
Agricultural producers in the designated counties should contact their local Farm Service Agency office to begin the application process for emergency assistance. These programs offer critical financial relief to help offset losses incurred during the 2026 growing season.
The takeaway
Producers operating in designated zones are encouraged to act promptly to secure available federal resources before end-of-year deadlines. Staying informed through official government portals is the most reliable way to monitor changes in local disaster eligibility status.
Further reading
For additional context on national farming initiatives, visit the Agriculture section.
More information
To find specific program eligibility, use the USDA Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agweek.
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