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Emergency Disaster Relief Loans

Contact Information: Sarah Clancy, [email protected], (385) 630-7173

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has established the Emergency Disaster Relief Loan Program through the Utah Conservation Commission (UCC). The purpose of the program is to assist agricultural producers by providing loan funds to help them address extraordinary circumstances related to declared disasters that have resulted in production losses.

These funds are only available for agricultural producers to address declared disaster-related losses and cannot be used for any value-added projects.

Emergency Disaster Relief Loan Application

Now accepting applications related to:

  • Executive Order 2025-08 signed July 31, 2025 – Declaring a State of Emergency Due to Fires. Deadline for applications is January 30, 2026.

Eligible Losses and Expenses: 

    • All losses and expenses submitted for funding under this program must be documented.
    • Loan funds may only be used to cover losses related to the official disaster declared. 
    • Loan funds may only be used to cover losses not already covered by indemnity, insurance, or other compensation.
    • Eligible losses and expenses will be further defined in application information provided specific to the declared disaster.

Loan Information: 

    • Unsecured 7-year fully amortized loans.
    • 0% interest for the first 2 years, 2.75% thereafter.
    • First loan payment due date options will be outlined in the application information provided for the declared disaster. Borrower may select month due and payment frequency (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually). 
    • Loan maximum is currently $100,000 per entity.
    • All disbursements must be completed within six months of loan closing or before an otherwise specified date unless the date is extended by the UCC.
    • A 5% late fee may be assessed on past due principal balance.

Documents Required for Loan Application:

    • Complete and signed application 
    • 2 years of complete (personal and business) tax returns 
    • Credit will be pulled by UDAF from a credit agency 
    • Entity Documents if applying under a business

Application Process:

    • Applications must first approved through your local Conservation Districts. Contact your local Resource Coordinator for submission to the district.
    • Any incomplete application will be placed at the bottom of rotation. 
    • The application date is considered the date of COMPLETE application, not the date of the original submission.
    • Once all documents are received, the application will be processed for eligibility.
    • Applications will be approved on a first complete, first processed basis for funding. 
    • All signatures will be completed through eSign.

Potential Reasons for Denial of an Application: 

    • Incomplete application. 
    • Lack of qualifying losses.
    • Program funds are exhausted. 
    • The producer applied outside of the application window.

How to Apply:

  1. Complete the Application:
    • Fill out the appropriate application for the declared disaster.
    • Ensure all sections are completed accurately.
    • Type or print clearly.
    • Sign and date your application.
  1. Conservation District Approval:
    • Your application must first be approved by your local Conservation District.
    • Contact your regional UDAF Resource Coordinator below for assistance with this step.
  1. UDAF Loan Department Review:
    • Once approved by the Conservation District, your Resource Coordinator will forward your application to the UDAF Loan Department.
    • Your Resource Coordinator may provide a list of required documents.
    • The Loan Department will also email you this information after receiving your application. Please check your email regularly and submit documents promptly.
    • Submit documents and questions to: [email protected]
  1. Loan Underwriting:
    • The Loan Department will review your application, income, and other necessary information to assess your repayment ability.
    • If requirements are met, your loan will be scheduled for the next Utah Conservation Commission (UCC) meeting.
  1. Loan Approval and Closing:
    • Upon UCC approval, the Loan Department will prepare your closing documents.
    • Loan funds are fully committed once the loan agreement is signed by all parties and assigned an agreement number.
  1. Receiving Loan Funds (Disbursement):
    • After the loan agreement is finalized, you can submit invoices and supporting documentation to receive funds.
    • You will work directly with the Loan Department on the specific requirements for each disbursement request.
  1. Loan Repayment:
    • Make timely payments throughout your loan term.
    • Payment Options:
      • Online check payment
      • Mail a check
      • You may also set up recurring payments through your bank 
    • Contact the Loan Department with any payment questions.
    • No prepayment penalty. Extra payments will be applied to your principal balance.