As of mid-July 2024, West Virginia is experiencing significant drought conditions across various regions. Many areas in the state are classified as experiencing "moderate drought," while some parts are facing "severe drought" conditions. Notably, the eastern panhandle region is experiencing severe drought. Other areas are identified as "abnormally dry," indicating less severe but still concerning dryness levels. These conditions can lead to reduced water availability, impacting agriculture and water supplies across the state.

A list of assistance programs and resources is provided below. The drought is being closely monitored, and additional assistance programs may become available. Please check back regularly for the most current updates.

Resource Links

West Virginia Current Drought Status:

West Virginia | Drought.gov

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Ag Producers

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in West Virginia Impacted by Drought | Natural Resources Conservation Service

WVU Extension: Drought Management Article

Drought Management Before During and After the Drought (wvu.edu)

Drought Resource Guide

Drought Resource Guide

Upcoming Drought Meetings

Upcoming Drought Meetings (PDF)

Drought Resources

Drought Resources

Focus On Well-Being Resource Guide

Focus On Well-Being Resource Guide

Natural Disaster/Drought Assistance Programs:

    1. USDA-FSA Disaster Assistance Programs

USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events.

Disaster Assistance Programs (usda.gov)

  1. USDA Protection and Recovery Programs
    Protection and Recovery Programs and Resources | Farmers.gov

Drought Photos

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBJNFN

Drought FAQ

Drought FAQ PDF

HAY RESOURCES

During a drought, securing reliable hay sources is crucial for livestock health. Farmers can explore several options for purchasing hay, such as online marketplaces and the Department of Agriculture’s monthly Market Bulletin. Additionally, those with hay to sell should contact their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to be added to the “Hay For Sale” list. With the drought continuing, it’s important to act quickly to secure hay now.

Sources to Purchase Hay:

  • FSA List
    COUNTY NAME CITY STATE PHONE QTY. Price
    Greenbrier Terry Lewis Williamsburg WV 304-647-5549 Oat hay, 4x4 wrapped bales, dry baled, tested 14.01% crude protein $53/bale
    Monongalia Upton Farm (Jacob) Morgantown WV 304-692-5567 300+ bales; 1st cutting 4 x 5 square, barn kept
    2nd cutting 4 x 5 square, barn kept    		 N/A
    Preston Brad Bolyard Kingwood WV 304-698-7747 Round bales, 1st cutting $30/bale
    Preston Brian Bryte Bruceton Mills WV 304-288-3020 Round bales, 1st cutting N/A
    Preston James Collins Bruceton Mills WV 304-288-5645 4x4 net wrapped, 1st cutting $40/bale
    Preston Marion Feather Albright WV 304-329-1610 Square bales $3.00/bale
    Tyler Mike Fitzsimmons Middlebourne WV 304-758-0026 4x4 round bales $20/bale
    Lincoln, TN Joe Lampley Flintville TN 256-535-2226 4x6 net wrapped rolls, $85/bale

To Sell Hay:

Please contact your County FSA office to be added to the “Hay for Sale” list.

https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=wv&agency=fsa

Forage Testing

Skyview Laboratory
skyviewlabinc.com

Cumberland Valley Analytic Services
Welcome to Foragelab

Dairy One
About the Forage Laboratory | Dairy One

West Virginia Conservation Agency

Home (wvca.us)

Cost-Share Funding to Supply Water to Livestock

All exigency practices intended to combat drought are now available to conservation districts. District supervisors must vote to approve the practices for cost-share in their specific district. The cost-share practices available to be used are water for livestock (see below), irrigation of crops, cover crops, connecting/tapping into a city water line and more.

Components eligible for cost-share for irrigating crops include: Portable water tanks, water pumps, portable pipeline, associated valves and pipe fittings, drip irrigation lines, irrigation timers, and mulch.

West Virginians with livestock experiencing hardship due to drought conditions are eligible to receive cost-share funding to help supply water to livestock through their local conservation districts.

 The components eligible for cost-share are: Portable water tanks, associated valves and fittings, water pumps, portable pipeline and portable water troughs.

 To meet eligibility criteria, a portion of one county within a district must have been designated a "D1" or higher classification, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. If any county has a D1 classification or higher, then any county within that conservation district is eligible for cost-share funding through the Agricultural Enhancement Exigency Program. (A list of conservation districts and contact information is below.)

 Each county affected is within a specific conservation district. Residents should contact the specific conservation district where they are experiencing drought. Ask to speak with the conservation district’s administrative specialist.

  • Barbour, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Upshur counties are in the Tygarts Valley Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 457-3026.
  • Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties are within the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 263-4376.
  • Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo and Wayne counties are within the Guyan Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 528-5718.
  • Braxton, Clay, Nicholas and Webster counties are within the Elk Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 765-2535.
  • Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio counties are within the Northern Panhandle Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 238-1231.
  • Calhoun, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties are within the Little Kanawha Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 422-9088.
  • Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis counties are within the West Fork Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 627-2160.
  • Fayette, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties are in the Southern Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 253-0261.
  • Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Pendleton counties are within the Potomac Valley Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 822-5174.
  • Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas counties are within the Greenbrier Valley Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 645-6173.
  • Jackson, Mason and Putnam counties are in the Western Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 675-3054.
  • Kanawha County is within the Capitol Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 759-0736.
  • Marion, Monongalia and Preston counties are in the Monongahela Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 296-0081.
  • Pleasants, Tyler and Wetzel counties are within the Upper Ohio Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 758-2512.