USDA Offers Aid to Farmers With Crop Losses due to fire, drought in ‘23 & ‘24
The Dalles, Ore., July 11, 2025 — Local farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires, drought and other natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP).
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced Wednesday that $16 billion in aid is available nationwide to help producers recover from eligible crop losses.
Columbia Gorge producers who purchased crop insurance or participated in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) may qualify for SDRP’s Stage One payments.
Applications open July 10 at the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in The Dalles. Prefilled applications were mailed to eligible producers on July 9, and the local FSA office encourages recipients to review and submit them promptly.
SDRP provides help for losses caused by wildfires, drought, floods, extreme heat, smoke exposure, and other declared natural disasters. For drought-related losses, the area must have experienced at least eight consecutive weeks of “severe drought” (D2) or worse, as measured by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Stage One payments will cover up to 90% of losses for insured crops, adjusted based on existing insurance or NAP payouts. A second round of payments may be issued if funds remain after the first stage.
All recipients must purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage at a minimum 60% level for the next two crop years, or risk having to repay the assistance with interest.
A Stage Two signup, which will address shallow or uncovered losses, is expected to open later this fall.
For more information, producers can visit fsa.usda.gov/sdrp, call the USDA Service Center in The Dalles, or use the online tools at farmers.gov.
USDA has already issued more than $7.8 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program payments and over $1 billion in livestock relief nationwide for 2023–24 losses.
Support Local News!
Available for Everyone; Funded by Readers.
