USDA Urges Preparations Ahead of Winter Storm Fern

(Washington, D.C., January 23, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is calling on farmers, ranchers, families, and small business owners in the anticipated path of Winter Storm Fern to prepare for severe winter conditions and to familiarize themselves with available USDA assistance. Staff at regional, state, and county offices are prepared to aid communities in both response and recovery efforts.

Accessing USDA Assistance

USDA’s Disaster Resource Center and the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool provide straightforward access to information on various programs designed to support recovery from natural calamities. Residents and producers are encouraged to reach out to their local USDA Service Center to explore programs that fit their specific needs.

Food Safety Tips During Winter Storms

Winter storms frequently lead to power outages that can jeopardize food safety. The USDA recommends the following precautions:

• Refrigerators maintain food temperatures below 40°F for up to 4 hours without power. A full freezer stays adequately cold for around 48 hours (24 hours if half full). It is advised to keep doors closed as much as possible.
• Avoid placing perishable items outside in the snow as outside temperatures fluctuate, which can also expose food to unsanitary conditions and animals.
• Prepare by freezing containers of water prior to the storm to use for maintaining cold temperatures around food.
• Freeze items that are not needed immediately, like leftovers, milk, and fresh meats, to enhance their storage safety.
• Purchasing 50 pounds of dry or block ice may be beneficial if a prolonged outage is expected; this can keep an 18-cubic-foot freezer cold for two days.
• Group foods together in the freezer to prolong coldness.
• Stock several days’ worth of non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods that require no cooking or refrigeration.

For any food safety inquiries, contact the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 (Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET) or via email at MPHotline@usda.gov. Meat and poultry businesses can access the FSIS Small Plant Help Desk 24/7, by calling 1-877-FSIS-HELP (1-877-374-7435) or emailing InfoSource@usda.gov.

Protecting Pets and Livestock

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) encourages all individuals in the storm’s predicted path to take proactive measures:

• Ensure all animals have adequate shelter, dry bedding, and access to unfrozen water.
• For moving livestock across state lines, it is important to contact the receiving state’s State Veterinarian’s Office.
• Adhere to the guidance provided by emergency officials.

Support for Agricultural Operations

The USDA offers several programs to aid agricultural producers recovering from storm-related damages.

Those with Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage must report any losses to their crop insurance agent or local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office within 72 hours of identifying any damages and follow up in writing within 15 days.

Additional USDA Programs

Additional vital USDA programs include:

• The Environmental Quality Incentives Program offering financial and technical assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
• The Emergency Watershed Protection Program that supports local governments.
• Financial support for farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters, including direct and guaranteed farm loans, operating loans, and emergency farm loans.
• Low-interest emergency loans for producers in designated disaster areas to recover from both production and physical losses.

These loans are available to assist producers in replacing property, livestock, equipment, feed, and seed, covering living expenses, and refinancing relevant debts.

Utilizing Resources for Recovery

Farmers can access tools through farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and a Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet to identify relevant recovery programs. For crop insurance claims, producers should contact their insurance agent. For FSA or NRCS programs, reach out to your local USDA Service Center.

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is prepared to collaborate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is ready to respond to requests for emergency nutrition assistance from state and local authorities.

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