Enrollment in West Virginia drought relief program now open
Description
Jackson County farmer Ben Smith stands in front of some of his cattle. One of Smith’s wells has gone dry. He and his family are conserving another for use at their home. He’s one of the West Virginia farmers struggling with the effects of a drought. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch)
Applications are now being accepted for a drought relief program funded by the state of West Virginia.
At a special session earlier this fall, state lawmakers approved $10 million in surplus funding to help farmers affected by this year’s historic drought.
Livestock farmers who are already enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Livestock Forage Disaster Program are eligible for state assistance. The funding is meant to fill the gaps not covered by the federal programs.
“West Virginia’s farmers are facing a crisis unlike any we’ve seen in decades,” Kent Leonhardt, the state agriculture commissioner, said in a news release Monday. “As drought conditions continue to impact our farmers, this support is crucial to help them weather the storm, so they can continue their operations. While this will not solve all the challenges, it will provide immediate relief and help farmers on the road to recovery.”
Farmers in the state struggled this year because of dry conditions. Some have had to feed their winter supply of hay to livestock early this year because the grass hasn’t grown. Some have sold off their livestock early because they didn’t have hay or water for them.
As of last week, Southern West Virginia is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, while the northern portion of the state is still in a moderate drought. Four eastern counties are still in severe drought.
The drought relief funds can be used for pasture restoration, water development and other drought-related recovery expenses.
Farmers must sign up at their local conservation district by Jan. 30, 2025. They must bring the following documents to apply:
- A physical copy of the applicant’s USDA-FSA 2024 LFP Estimated Calculated Payment Report, including an application number and a total gross LFP payment.
- A completed W-9 form. If you do not have one, a blank form may be provided at the conservation district office.
- A completed “Sign Up, Release and Disclaimer Application” form on site. These forms will be made available at the district offices.
For more information, farmers can contact the Department of Agriculture at 304-558-3200 or visit https://agriculture.wv.gov/.
Charleston, WV