Ohio Farm Bureau been keeping close tabs on conditions across the state through the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor. The monitor works with a scale where D1 is a “moderate drought”, D2 is a “severe drought”, D3 is an “extreme drought” and D4 is an “exceptional drought”. As the summer has progressed, 2024 became the first year that D4 conditions we recognized in Ohio and the coverage area for D3 is the largest since the inception of the drought monitor in 2000.

In the latest update, over 77% of the Buckeye State is experiencing drought conditions. Ohioans are seeing “extreme drought” in about a 25% of the state and 18 counties in Ohio are now seeing D4, or “exceptional drought” conditions.

If you have been impacted by the drought, please contact your local Farm Service Agency.

Farm Bureau is working closely with state and federal agencies, as well as The Ohio State University to collect all of the available resources for those stricken by the drought conditions and is sharing those resources with members through various channels. Listed are links to the latest news and ways members can access assistance should they need it, including a new Ohio Hay Directory created by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

USDA/FSA/ODA Links

Connecting with Ohio FSA offices for drought assistance

Twenty-Two Ohio Counties Declared a Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought

A complete list of USDA disaster assistance programs

Ohio Department of Agriculture’s drought resources

Ohio State Extension Links

Ohio State University Extension’s resource page for farmers

Farm Safety and Health Week is very real for Ohio farmers in 2024

Nationwide Links

Prepare for drought with an effective drought plan

Prevent hay bale fires with year-round vigilance and action

How to prevent combine fires

Other Links

State Fire Marshal orders ban on open burning

Check on Your Neighbor
– Call or check in on your neighbor down the road. We need to check on each other now more than ever.

– Ask for help, professionals throughout the state are ready to assist. For more information visit ODA’s Got Your Back page.

Quick Tips
– Maintain records of all expenses – hay purchases/hauling, water purchases/hauling, equipment, etc.
– Contact your county Farm Service Agency to be sure your challenges are on record.
– Use this tool submit a Condition Monitoring Observer Report about drought related conditions.
– Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District with any additional questions you may have.

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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