Nine southwest region counties qualify for drought aid

Counties in central and southern Missouri, now in their second year of drought, were designated for at least a week this summer as extreme drought or exceptional drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor. That distinction makes them eligible for grant money coordinated through the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Southwest Missouri counties deemed eligible include Greene, Christian, Barry, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk and Stone counties.

The assistance program was announced Friday, following another initiative package detailed last week that provides $50 million to the region’s livestock producers. The Livestock Grant Assistance Program distributes funds that can be used to reimburse farmers for the costs of hay and feed for animals affected by the drought. That program covers 740 counties in 20 states.

Additionally, the USDA has made nearly $19 million in unused Emergency Conservation Program funds available to 27 states for drought rehabilitation. More than $650,000 of those funds are available to 14 mid-Missouri counties. Another $80,000 will be provided for pasture cleanup in Christian and Schuyler counties, which were hit by tornadoes in May.