Ohio faces severe drought as farmers seek aid

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed several key topics impacting the local community, including drought relief efforts, upcoming events, and budgetary matters.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing severe drought affecting Southeast Ohio, with some areas experiencing extreme conditions. In response, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has launched a resource page to assist affected residents. Additionally, Senator Brown is hosting a webinar in collaboration with the USDA Farm Service Agency today, September 12th, at noon, which is open to both citizens and county officials. Interested participants can contact the office for access to the webinar link.

The meeting also addressed support for local farmers, particularly those with cattle. A program is available at the ASD office in Plains, with a sign-up deadline of January 1st. Farmers are encouraged to make appointments to learn more about the assistance available.

In community news, the fair is currently underway, celebrating Senior Day and Veteran's Day, with free admission for seniors. Entertainment includes performances by Little Roy and Lizzie from Georgia, as well as a gospel group scheduled for this evening, all taking place at the shelter house.

On the administrative front, officials discussed a plumbing issue involving a main water leak at the dog pound, with plans to obtain estimates for repairs. The budget submission deadline has been extended to October 10th due to the implementation of new software. Additionally, a motion was approved to allocate up to $400 for a staff member's continuing education expenses.

Lastly, the deadline for submitting requests for qualifications (RFQ) for a project at Rockbridge has been extended by one week to September 18th, allowing more participants the opportunity to apply after some experienced difficulties accessing the original posting.