Drought disaster relief available for north Arkansas farmers

HARRISON, Ark. (KY3) – A further 20 Arkansas counties have been designated as main pure catastrophe areas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson introduced this week.

Hutchinson stated that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack had responded to his request for extra drought help in Arkansas.

As of Wednesday, counties designated main pure catastrophe areas in north Arkansas embrace: Boone, Carroll, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, and Van Buren.

“Agriculture it’s our state’s largest business, extremely necessary to our state, and for good purpose,” stated Wes Ward, Arkansas Division of Agriculture secretary. “Agriculture gives the meals, the fiber, the gasoline, the shelter that we depend on day by day.”

“It simply actually slapped us proper within the face, so we’re brief on hay, we’re brief on grass, and we’ve needed to promote a whole lot of our cattle, and it’s a fairly tough deal,” stated Gary Watkins, a north Arkansas farmer. “They’ve to show in on their hay fields to graze the cows and attempt to maintain them collectively. That didn’t work. So we’ve bought extra cows in Boone County and Carroll County this 12 months than we’ve got a whole lot of them.”

Arkansas’ governor introduced the drought catastrophe declaration on July 15, opening up federal support by means of the division of agriculture to assist these struggling.

“The principle factor that might do is opening up emergency loans so producers should purchase hay or work on no matter points which can be particular farm,” stated Ward.

Many farmers are already taking drastic measures.

“They’ve to show in on their hay fields to graze the cows and attempt to maintain them collectively. That didn’t work,” stated Watkins. “So we’ve bought extra cows in Boone County and Carroll County this 12 months than we’ve got a whole lot of them.”

And whereas the emergency funding could also be a saving grace for a lot of, a priority nonetheless resides among the many youthful technology of farmers.

“In case you’re a youthful producers and also you’re making an attempt to make ends meet and undergo a 12 months like this the place you’re shedding cash and going into debt,” stated Ward. “You’re offering for your self and your loved ones. You’re these much less dangerous jobs.”

Native farmers like Watkins say droughts like this may be the breaking level for youthful technology farmers. And whereas funds might help to some extent, he says in some unspecified time in the future. You need assistance from mom nature.

“This sizzling climate we’ve had this week has actually taken a whole lot of water out of it,” he stated. “However nonetheless but it helps us and if we get one other rain like they’re saying later this week. We are able to nonetheless develop some foliage this fall, however we’re nonetheless going to be approach brief.”

CLICK HERE to see extra on drought aid, together with utility varieties.

Arkansas Division of Agriculture can direct contact to nearest headquarters:

– information@agriculture.arkansas.gov

– (501) 225-1598

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