For the first time in the history of the U.S Drought Monitor, some parts of Ohio are experiencing Exceptional Drought conditions, with a quarter of the state considered to be having an Extreme Drought.
Twenty-two counties have been declared as natural disaster areas, with primary counties including Harrison and Guernsey. Tuscarawas County, along with Carroll and Coshocton falls in the neighboring designation.
For Ohio Farm Bureau member Kevin Teeters, the magnitude of the dry conditions are indeed historic.
“Probably the worst that I can remember since back in 97-98 area. 2012 was dry, but it was nothing like what it is now.”
Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy for Ohio Farm Bureau, says there has been some progress for a new farm bill, with the current one set to expire at the end of September.
Safety nets and crop insurance programs are offered within the bill, which he says remains a priority.
“Number one is protect crop insurance. That is a public private partnership where the government helps offset some of the risk in the farmers have to pay. Just like your car insurance program, you have to buy into the policy and help supply some semblance of risk management and coverage when we have some bad years like this.”
The Ohio Farm Bureau is working with government agencies to ensure that farmers impacted by the drought will have access to resources needed to sustain their farms through the challenges Mother Nature has dealt.
Farmers are encouraged to call their local FSA office to start the conversation about what they are seeing on their farms and to discuss what disaster relief programs may be available to them.
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