COLUMBUS, OHIO (Sept. 4, 2024) — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency has officially designated 22 Ohio counties as primary natural disaster areas due to worsening drought conditions. This declaration enables affected farm operators to apply for emergency loans to support recovery efforts.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the drought in these counties has progressively intensified, with some areas facing extreme and exceptional drought conditions. Notably, Highland, Pike, and Ross counties are experiencing extreme drought, while Athens and Meigs counties are under exceptional drought conditions.
The USDA’s declaration authorizes the Farm Service Agency to offer emergency credit to farmers in these primary counties, as well as in contiguous counties. This assistance can be utilized for various recovery needs, including replacing essential items or livestock and refinancing existing debts.
Farm operators in the affected counties have until April 28, 2025, to apply for these emergency loans.
The counties designated as primary natural disaster areas are:
- Athens
- Belmont
- Fairfield
- Fayette
- Gallia
- Guernsey
- Harrison
- Highland
- Hocking
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Madison
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Muskingum
- Noble
- Perry
- Pickaway
- Pike
- Ross
- Vinton
- Washington
Additionally, bordering counties are eligible to apply for assistance. These include:
- Adams
- Brown
- Carroll
- Champaign
- Clark
- Clinton
- Columbiana
- Coshocton
- Franklin
- Greene
- Lawrence
- Licking
- Meigs
- Scioto
- Tuscarawas
- Union
The drought conditions have been exacerbated by a prolonged lack of precipitation. Despite occasional rain showers, the long-term trend shows significantly drier summer months, contributing to the severe and extreme drought levels currently impacting these regions.
