Emergency Drought Commission Approves Additional Funding For Emergency Cost-Share Program

The Emergency Drought Commission has approved an additional $12 million in emergency funding for the existing Emergency Drought Cost-Share Program.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Forestry says the program allocates funds to local conservation districts to distribute to agriculture producers across all 77 Oklahoma counties for approved drought relief projects.

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According to the department, approved projects include water well drilling, pumping facilities, pipeline, pasture tap, watering facilities, heavy use protection, cover crop planting (for erosion control), forage and biomass planting (excluding Bermuda grass) and pond cleanout.

The department says practices included in the program may be funded retroactively to June 11, 2022, if applicable.

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The application period is now open for those interested in applying for funding. The application period is set to close on November 28, 2022.

According to the department, anyone who applied for the program prior to November 9, 2022, and has not received payment, will be considered for the updated program. Applicants who have already been approved are not eligible to submit a new application.

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