WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 22 counties in Ohio, including much of the Scioto Valley, as a natural disaster zone due to severe drought conditions. This declaration allows farmers in these counties and 18 neighboring counties to apply for emergency loans from the federal government starting Tuesday.
The counties affected and listed in the disaster declaration are Athens, Belmont, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Vinton, and Washington.
The region has been grappling with serious drought conditions, which have significantly impacted local agriculture. Farmers affected by the drought are encouraged to apply for aid through the Farm Service Agency to help mitigate the financial strain caused by the adverse weather.
Local officials and agricultural experts are urging farmers to take advantage of the available resources to ensure the sustainability of their operations during this challenging time.
For more information on how to apply for emergency loans, farmers can visit the Farm Service Agency’s website or contact their local FSA office.
