Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued two designations naming several Arizona counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought conditions. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) applauded the decisions given the historic dry conditions impacting the Southwest.
The determinations were made under 7 CFR 759.5(a), based on U.S. Drought Monitor data showing the affected counties experienced either D2 (Severe) drought for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 (Extreme) to D4 (Exceptional) drought, during the growing season.
On June 29, 2026, the USDA Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation designated Coconino and Maricopa counties as primary natural disaster areas. Gila, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma counties also qualify as contiguous counties.
The USDA issued a second designation on Monday for the same underlying drought, with Gila, Pinal, and Yuma counties elevated to primary status. Coconino, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, and Yavapai counties were listed as contiguous counties. The shift of Gila, Pinal, and Yuma from contiguous to primary status since the initial decision suggests worsening drought conditions across the region.
Under Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the USDA is authorized to extend a disaster designation beyond the counties that meet the drought criteria directly, naming neighboring Arizona counties as contiguous disaster areas. Both a primary and a contiguous classification make farm operators eligible to be considered for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loan assistance.
Farmers and ranchers in the affected counties have eight months from the date of their county’s listing to apply. Applicants should contact their local FSA office, which can help them navigate the application and required documentation.
For questions, applicants can also email FPAC.BC.Congressional@usda.gov, referencing disaster designation number 2026N00000369 for the June 29 announcement or 2026N00000419 for Monday’s announcement.
“For years, rural Arizonans have faced worsening drought conditions without adequate federal assistance. These designations finally give our farmers and ranchers access to meaningful financial support and help our producers during a difficult period,” said Rep. Crane. “I appreciate Secretary Rollins and the USDA team for recognizing the seriousness of these conditions and taking action. I encourage eligible applicants to review this opportunity and work with their local FSA office to determine whether low-interest loans can help offset recent losses.”