Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
Listed
are links to the latest news and ways members can access assistance.
Ohio Farm Bureau has been keeping close tabs on conditions across the state through the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor. The monitor works with a scale where D1 is a “moderate drought”, D2 is a “severe drought”, D3 is an “extreme drought” and D4 is an “exceptional drought”. As the summer has progressed, 2024 became the first year that D4 conditions we recognized in Ohio and the coverage area for D3 is the largest since the inception of the drought monitor in 2000.
In the latest update, over 77% of the Buckeye State is experiencing drought conditions. Ohioans are seeing “extreme drought” in about a 25% of the state and 18 counties in Ohio are now seeing D4, or “exceptional drought” conditions.
If you have been impacted by the drought, please contact your local Farm Service Agency.
Farm Bureau is working closely with state and federal agencies, as well as The Ohio State University to collect all of the available resources for those stricken by the drought conditions and is sharing those resources with members through various channels. Listed are links to the latest news and ways members can access assistance should they need it, including a new Ohio Hay Directory created by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
USDA/FSA/ODA Links
- Twenty-Two Ohio Counties Declared a Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought
- A complete list of USDA disaster assistance programs
- Ohio Department of Agriculture’s drought resources
Ohio State Extension Links
- Ohio State University Extension’s resource page for farmers
- Farm Safety and Health Week is very real for Ohio farmers in 2024
Nationwide Links
- Prepare for drought with an effective drought plan
- Prevent hay bale fires with year-round vigilance and action
- How to prevent combine fires
Other Links
Check on Your Neighbor
- Call or check in on your neighbor down the road. We need to check on each other now more than ever.
- Ask for help, professionals throughout the state are ready to assist. For more information visit ODA’s Got Your Back page.
Quick Tips
- Maintain records of all expenses – hay purchases/hauling, water purchases/hauling, equipment, etc.,
- Contact your county Farm Service Agency to be sure your challenges are on record.
- Use this tool submit a Condition Monitoring Observer Report about drought related conditions.
- Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District with any additional questions you may have.