The West Virginia Legislature has approved a $10 million relief package to support farmers struggling with the state’s severe drought conditions. Senate Bill 2032, which allocates unappropriated surplus funds to the Department of Agriculture for drought relief, passed the House of Delegates with an 89-2 vote on Tuesday evening, after the Senate had unanimously approved it on Sunday.
Initially left off the agenda for the special legislative session, drought relief was added to the call by Gov. Jim Justice on Saturday following requests from the Department of Agriculture. Many farmers in West Virginia have been forced to feed their winter hay reserves early due to the lack of grass growth, and some have begun selling livestock due to water and feed shortages.
State Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt, speaking to the House Finance Committee, described the drought as “unprecedented.” According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, several counties in central and northern West Virginia are experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions, with the entire state except for parts of McDowell County being either abnormally dry or in drought.
Leonhardt emphasized that the majority of the $10 million will be used for weed management and reseeding pastures, areas not covered by federal Farm Service Agency (FSA) assistance programs. He explained that dry conditions have allowed weeds, such as the toxic nightshade, to thrive, damaging pasture lands.
Delegate Darren Thorne, R-Hampshire, a farmer himself, shared his personal struggles, noting that the drought had devastated his fields and could result in a $100,000 loss this year.
Any funds remaining after reseeding and weed management efforts will go toward repairing ponds and wells. Leonhardt indicated that priority would be given to farmers in the hardest-hit areas of West Virginia, specifically those in D3 extreme and D4 exceptional drought zones.
While the Department of Agriculture initially sought to extend the state of emergency, Leonhardt clarified that such an extension is not necessary for either the FSA assistance or the $10 million relief appropriation. He warned that the drought is expected to continue into next year.
The bill now heads to Gov. Justice for his signature.
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