OHIO — Many parts of the Buckeye State have experienced severe drought conditions over the last few months.

What You Need To Know

  • There could be a $10 million drought relief fund to help compensate farmers 

  • The drought conditions threw off farmers harvesting timelines 

  • During its first committee hearing last week, the bill received bi-partisan support, but it’s still unclear whether it will pass both chambers before the legislative session ends at the end of the year

Back in August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a drought emergency in several southeast Ohio counties.

Now, there could be hope for farmers, with the help of a new drought relief fund from the statehouse.

Mike Videkovich is a farmer in Pickaway and Fairfield County who’s feeling the impact of this year’s drought.

“I can tell you that it has impacted the farm and what we do on a daily basis. It’s gonna impact our bottom line. It’s gonna impact our buying decisions going forward,” said Mike Videkovich.

Videkovich said the drought messed up his typical harvesting and feed schedule.

But now there could be hope for Ohio farmers like him in the form of a $10 million funding bill that’s gaining traction at the Statehouse.

“I think it’s a nice gesture. I’ll be interested to see how they decide to distribute that. And what they make us do to participate in whatever program that is,” Videkovich said.  

According to one of the bill’s Republican sponsors, the money would be geared toward farmers whose gross income is less than $900-thousand dollars.

Ashley Kasler, organization director for the Ohio Farm Bureau, who is also a farmer herself, said that there’s a great need for this relief fund. 

“Farmers mental health has kind of been top of the list too because not knowing what the future’s gonna look like is concerning,” said Kasler.

During its first committee hearing last week, the bill received bi-partisan support. But it’s still unclear whether it will pass both chambers before the legislative session ends at the end of the year.

But Evan Callicoat, the Director of State Policy at the Ohio Farm Bureau said getting the money to the farmers quickly is important.

“Agriculture remains Ohio’s number one industry, and as Don Jones quoted in his testimony, we’re humble and we don’t like to often ask for help, he cited that often, so the fact that a huge amount of his constituents were calling saying ‘we need help,’ it shows how much this is needed,” said Callicoat.

Callicoat said they’re grateful for all the support from the General Assembly. 

But he also realizes this is a short-term fix, and Videkovich agrees.  

“It’s hard to determine what would be best for every farmer because every operation is different. And the impact the droughts have on everybody is different,” Videkovich said.

But Videkovich is grateful that legislators are supporting this fund to help relieve farmers like him.

“Any help is appreciated,” Videkovich said.