On Wednesday, an emergency assistance program to help West Virginia farmers affected by the ongoing drought get water to their livestock was announced.
The West Virginia Conservation Agency launched the cost-share program and will reimburse livestock farmers half the cost of water tanks and the necessary fittings up to a $400 limit.
District Manager Amy Cosco, of the Monongahela Conservation District — which covers Monongalia, Preston and Marion counties — said she thinks a lot of farmers will take advantage of the program because, while the area has received a little rain lately, it still isn’t enough to restore any creeks and springs that have dried up.
The reimbursement process begins with filling out a form that provides basic information and the submission of a map of the farm to become a district cooperator, Cosco said. Receipts of the purchases also need to be provided.
Then a conservation technician goes through a process to check out the application and brings his findings to the district’s board for approval. The district’s committee is empowered to meet and approve reimbursements between board meetings, Cosco said.
There also has to be a need for the equipment, she said. One cow, for example, does not rise to the level of needing a water tank.
Cosco said the reimbursement process should be faster than normal because the program is an emergency one.
The program is retroactive to any water tanks and fittings purchased on or after Sept. 1 and anyone who takes advantage of the program can’t do it again for five years.
The size and type of water tank is up to the farmer because there are different types of tanks for different needs and the agency didn’t want to count something out that could be of use to a farmer, Cosco said.
Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency last week because of the shortage of rainfall in all 55 counties, the conservation agency said.
The U.S. Drought Monitor showed nearly all of the southern half of the state is in a moderate or severe drought. The northern half is mostly considered abnormally dry, according to the conservation agency.
To apply for the program, call the Monongahela Conservation District at 304-296-0081.
Tweet @WillDean_DP
