STATE
Drought prompts federal agency to offer emergency loans to New Mexico farmers
The U. S. Department of Agriculture has declared a drought disaster in all 33 New Mexico counties, making farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock or other losses eligible for low-interest emergency loans.
The USDA鈥檚 cite the , which shows all of New Mexico in some stage of drought, with most of the state experiencing 鈥渆xtreme鈥� or 鈥渟evere鈥� drought.
Because of the USDA鈥檚 declaration, farmers and ranchers are eligible for loans up to $500,000 covering a range of costs at lower-than-market interest rates. For example, producers can receive a federal Farm Service Agency loan for operating costs at 4.75% interest, according
The loans can pay for production costs associated with a disaster, essential living expenses, farm reorganization costs or the refinancing of certain debts, according to the USDA.
The federal deadline to apply for the loans is Dec. 24, 2026. USDA officials directed farmers and ranchers interested in the loans to their local Farm Service Agency officers for more information.
this winter exacerbated ongoing drought in New Mexico and across the West. Recently, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a , which directed a state task force to help local governments as much as possible.
The governor鈥檚 declaration also coincided with the publicization of a new website 鈥� the 鈥� that contains an array of state and federal resources regarding the ongoing drought, weather conditions and fire risk.
A recent industry report found that New Mexico鈥檚 food and agriculture industries generated more than , including employing 146,000 people statewide who work in farm or food industries and earn $5.9 billion in wages.
