Likely lead to higher food prices.
Ohio will ask the federal government to help farmers hurt by this year's drought. Gov. John Kasich says he's drafting the letter and hopes to have a response within a couple of weeks.
Kasich also signed an executive order that provides some aid for farmers. One of the items would allow farmers who own land next to state right-of-way to harvest the grass for use as feed for animals. It also orders the Ohio Department of Agriculture to hold regional meetings with farmers to discuss the drought and explain what assistance is out there.
The department will also develop a website to track the availability of hay for livestock and hold bi-weekly meetings with the Ohio EMA.
"There's going to be a lot of loss and it's tragic because these farmers scrape by sometime year to year and this one could knock them out. That's the problem," Gov. Kasich said.
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels says the drought is mainly affecting farmers, not the general public. That's why he says the aid they are applying for right now would only help farmers.
Kasich says the drought will likely lead to higher food prices. He didn't think they would put a number on losses, but says obviously it will have an economic impact.
Agriculture is a $105 billion industry in Ohio.
Story Courtesy of Matt Bruning.
