By Andi Anderson
On January 2, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill allocating $10 million in drought relief funds for Ohio farmers. The funding, directed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, will be distributed to county soil and water conservation districts, which will then provide direct assistance to farmers in need.
This state funding aims to address the financial challenges faced by farmers impacted by the severe drought of 2024. The drought caused farmers to incur additional costs, including purchasing extra hay and hauling water. The relief is designed to help fill gaps left by federal disaster programs. As of January 1, areas in southeastern Ohio, including counties like Guernsey, Noble, and Belmont, were still experiencing drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Due to time constraints, the drought relief bill was not able to reach the governor’s desk before the legislative session ended. Instead, provisions from the bill were combined with Senate Bill 54, which passed on December 18.
The specific process for distributing these funds to farmers is still unclear, but the state’s goal is to ensure the relief reaches those affected by the drought’s financial strain.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy