CHARLESTON, W.Va. State Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt says a bill awaiting the signature of Gov. Jim Justice will give West Virginia farmers impacted by the ongoing drought some relief.
The legislature approved a $10 million relief package in last week's special session. Justice added the bill to use special session agenda. The money will come from state budget surplus funds.
"This is the worst drought that we have seen in my lifetime," Leonhardt said. "We seem to be the epicenter of the drought that is hitting also Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Ohio, Southwest Pennsylvania, Western Maryland and Eastern Virginia. So we're right there in the heart of what's happened."
Farmers across West Virginia have been facing extreme challenges as a result of prolonged dry conditions, with many already feeding their winter supply of hay to livestock because pastures have dried up. Some have been forced to sell livestock early as well due to the lack of grass and water, making their financial situation worse.
As of last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, many counties in central and northern West Virginia are dealing with severe drought conditions. All of the state, except for part of McDowell County, is facing either extreme dryness or drought.
This $10 million will be used to reseed and restore damaged pasture, as well as manage invasive weeds that thrive in dry conditions. Although federal assistance from the Farm Service Agency has already helped farmers replace depleted feed, it does not cover weed management or reseeding effort, which are critical for recovery.
Del. Darren Thorne, a farmer from Hampshire County, told lawmakers last week the toxic weed nightshade, which can be harmful to cattle, has been destroying parts of his fields.
"This summer..it got so hot, so dry and so windy, we were down to dirt," Thorne said. "I felt like I was in Arizona. I mean, there was no grass. So we're in a bad situation here that we've got to get ahead of."
Thorne added that the drought could cost him up to $100,000 this year alone, so allocating $10 million to help farmers through out West Virginia seems reasonable.
"We're trying to be reasonable. We're just trying to keep our heads above water," Thorne said.
Leonhardt said the most important thing is to "tell your farmers out there, make sure you've signed up with the Farm Service Agency, because that's going to be how we monitor some of what's going to be done."
The Department of Agriculture had originally asked the Governor to add an extension on the drought state of emergency to the special legislative call. However, Leonhardt said the extension isn't necessary for farmers to receive FSA assistance or for the additional $10 million in state funding.
The drought is expected to continue into next year.