Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a state of disaster throughout Oklahoma. Like Texas, Oklahoma is reeling from severe droughts and wildfires which have damaged crops and prevented harvesting. The declaration was requested by Governor Mary Fallin on June 10, and covers 74 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. The Governor initially requested that the declaration encompass all 77 counties, but the USDA was unable to adequately assess those counties not included in the declaration.

The declaration makes farmers eligible for aid from the Farm Service Agency, aid such as emergency loans and other financial assistance. The deadline for applications is eight weeks after the initial declaration.

Oklahoma is not alone in needing federal aid to combat poor weather. Across the country farmers have struggled with severe weather and have suffered millions of dollars in losses as a result of floods, tornadoes, droughts, and heavy rain.

Earlier in the week, the USDA reminded farmers who suffered from the severe weather to contact their local Farm Service Agency. In a statement last week, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated that the USDA was committed to aiding struggling farmers and that a variety of federal programs, such as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, federal crop insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, were available to farmers in need.

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer