Drought Conditions Trigger Federal Assistance Programs

September 23, 2025

We are sharing the following information provided by Tommy Higgins, State Executive Director, Maine Farm Service Agency.

As of Thursday, September 18, six counties in Maine are now classified as D3 (Extreme Drought): Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Franklin, Somerset, and Oxford. In addition, our coastal counties stretching from Washington to Lincoln have remained in D2 (Severe Drought) for five consecutive weeks.

Any period at D3 triggers multiple federal programs, including:

• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): Financial assistance for transporting water to livestock. Documentation of gallons hauled is required.

• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): Cost share (up to 75%) to provide emergency water for grazing/confined livestock and existing orchards/vineyards. Eligible practices include pipeline installation, well construction, and spring/seep development.

• Emergency Farm Loans (EM Loans): Triggered by Secretarial Disaster Designations, offering low-interest loans to restore/reorganize operations, cover production costs, or refinance certain debts.

Additional Programs:

• Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): Producers must notify their county FSA office of losses within 15 days of a natural disaster, or within 72 hours for certain hand-harvested and perishable crops. A completed Notice of Loss (CCC-576) is required.
• Tree Assistance Program (TAP): Available to orchardists and nursery growers experiencing natural disaster losses.

For assistance, please contact your local FSA office.

You may also sign up to stay informed through USDA updates.

Important Actions for Maine Farmers

Report Losses Promptly

• Contact your local FSA office to report any drought-related crop or livestock losses.
• Even small losses matter - they help trigger federal disaster designations.
• Deadlines:
  • Most crops: report within 15 days of the event, damage becoming visible, or normal harvest date.
  • Hand-harvested/perishable crops (berries, tomatoes, grapes, herbs): report within 72 hours of loss.

Document Impacts

• Keep written records and photos of drought impacts on crops, pastures, livestock, and water systems.
• Save receipts for any water hauling, feed purchases, or emergency repairs.

Stay Informed

• Check the Maine Drought Taskforce for updates and resources
• Check the U.S. Drought Monitor (updated Thursdays).
• Subscribe to the Maine FSA monthly newsletter for program updates.
• Visit DACF's agricultural water management webpage for drought strategies.

Review the Federal Assistance Programs detailed and hyperlinked above.

Plan Ahead

• Consider applying to DACFs Farmer Drought Relief Program (next round expected in late 2025) for long-term investments in water management and irrigation.

Contact the DACF or your local FSA office with any questions

Emily Horton: Director of Policy & Community Engagement
Tom Gordon: Soil & Water Conservation Program Coordinator

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor: jim.britt@maine.gov