Drought and high temperatures have led the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare a state of emergency in our region.
USDA Marshall County Executive Director Donna Culp tells the Tribune-Courier this means farmers can get federal help to protect livestock. The USDA is providing water, allowing grazing on conservation reserve program lands and providing low-interest loans. Unless the area receives heavy rain before the end of the month, 2012 will remain the driest year on record, 15.8 inches below the annual average.
