AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Over half of Maine\u2019s counties have been designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas due to the drought, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. <\/p>\n
This designation allows the USDA and Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers through emergency loans<\/a>.<\/p>\n The U.S. Drought monitor shows that these counties were in the D2 Drought-Severe category for eight or more consecutive weeks, the D3 Drought-Extreme, or D4 Drought-Exceptional during the growing season. <\/p>\n The first designation covers Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset. <\/p>\n The USDA says the following contiguous counties are also eligible: Aroostook, Lincoln, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York.<\/p>\n The application deadline is May 22, 2026.<\/p>\n The second designation includes Hancock, Knox, Waldo, and Washington. <\/p>\n The USDA says the following contiguous counties are also eligible: Aroostook, Kennebec, Lincoln, Penobscot, and Somerset. <\/p>\n The application deadline for these counties is June 1, 2026. <\/p>\n