Drought Relief Funding Available to Ohio Farmers

ZANESVILLE, OH – There’s some help on the horizon for livestock farmers who were affected by last summer’s drought.

Back in December, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 54 into law, which is now allocating $10 Million in state funding to help producers.

Brian Baldridge, the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, says this is a chance for farmers in hard hit areas to finally feel some relief.

“What is it did, is it identified those counties that were hardest hit, under the Secretary of Agriculture set those counties forth.” Baldridge explained. “So this is that opportunity for them to receive a little bit more financial assistance from a standpoint of going through that drought last year.”

Baldridge says the funding will help to pay for any extra costs farmers incurred due to the drought.

He says that could be from having to feed winter food to your animals in the summer to early fall or having to leave your property to get water for your animals.

“Stop by the local county Soil and Water Offices, which are located in each of our counties across the state.” Baldridge said. “Knowing going to the agriculture office, per say, and just have a conversation with our folks in the Soil and Water Offices and they’ll get you taken care of.”

Farmers have until April 1st to apply for this drought relief funding.

If you are interested in more information about the funding, you can reach out to the Muskingum County Soil and Water Office, located at 225 Underwood St.