CHARLESTON, WV (WVPREPBB) – West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has issued a State of Emergency for the entire state in response to severe drought conditions affecting local agriculture. The proclamation, announced on Friday, aims to provide support to West Virginia’s farming community grappling with the impacts of the ongoing drought.
“This drought has devastated West Virginia farmers, threatening their livelihoods and potentially causing irreparable losses,” Governor Justice stated. “We must take action to prevent our hardworking farmers from suffering further due to this extreme lack of rain.”
The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless amended by another proclamation, according to the governor’s office.
Local farmers are expressing deep concerns over the drought’s impact on their produce, livestock, and financial stability. Martin Schaffer, owner of Four Seasons Farm, reported significant losses, including half of his blueberry crop and a bleak outlook for his apple harvest. While his blackberries and raspberries are faring better due to nearly constant irrigation, other plants in his greenhouse have been damaged by intense sunlight, and the soil has become severely cracked.
The drought has also led to a shortage of hay, a critical resource for livestock. If the situation does not improve, farmers may need to reduce their herds to manage the limited feed supply.
The immediate need is for consistent rainfall to replenish the soil and allow crops to recover and grow. Without adequate rain, the situation for local farmers could become even more dire.
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