COLUMBUS (AP) - Almost all of Ohio has been granted a natural disaster designation that will allow eligible farmers access to federal assistance to help with the effects of the drought.
Gov. John Kasich's office said Wednesday the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted the governor's request for the designation for 85 of Ohio's 88 counties, including Seneca County. The governor made the request after severe heat, rainfall shortages and other weather-related disasters affected large areas of Ohio over the spring and summer.
The designation gives eligible farmers access to federal assistance such as emergency low-interest loans for crop losses, relief payments for non-insurable losses and permission to cut hay for livestock from acreage otherwise set aside for conservation.
Farmers in the 85 counties are encouraged to contact local Farm Service Agency offices for more information.
