More Initiatives Offered as Additional Counties Named Disaster Areas Due to Drought

The Obama Administration is providing additional assistance to producers affected by the drought, as 172 more counties across in 15 states are added to the list of disaster areas due to drought and excessive heat. That brings the total number of counties named a disaster area due to drought to 1,670. To assist producers, President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Iowa to announce USDA’s intent to purchase $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken and catfish for federal food nutrition programs that will help relieve pressure on American livestock producers. The Secretary also announced the availability of up to $5 million in grants to evaluate and demonstrate agricultural practices that help farmers and ranchers adapt to drought. Learn more.