The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 56 of 77 counties in Oklahoma as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by extreme drought. An additional 18 Oklahoma counties qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous to the designated counties.
Arkansas has 75 counties total. Of these, 69 have received the Primary Disaster Area Designation and six have received the Contiguous Disaster Area Designation. All 75 Counties are eligible for Emergency Assistance.
When it comes to finding drought resources and programs, “producers should contact their nearest USDA Service Center Office,” said Linda Newkirk, Arkansas State Executive Director, U.S. Department of Arkansas FSA.
“The Local Cooperative Extension Service provides technical assistance toward improved pastures, optimum mixtures of forage varieties for warm and cool season, as well as protein and total digestive nutrient (TDN) testing of hay,” Newkirk said. “They also provide soil tests for proper amendments to the soil for optimum forage production.”
