Southeast Ohio Farmers Dealing With Drought, Farm Bureau Pushing New Farm Bill

With extreme drought conditions in parts of south-central and southeast Ohio, it’s been a tough year for farmers.

That’s why the Farm Bill and its crop insurance programs are so valuable.

Of course, the current law is an extended version of the 2018 Farm Bill, so the Ohio Farm Bureau keeps pushing members of Congress to get a new deal done.

Farm Bureau VP for Public Policy Jack Irvin says protecting crop insurance is a key part of any new legislation.

Irvin says he’s optimistic that there will be a new Farm Bill, but there’s a long way to go yet.

He believes with the presidential Election and so many legislators running for office that they’ve hit the “pause” button on farm legislation.

Athens County is listed at “exceptional” drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

That’s the highest level of drought.