Emergency help available for Missouri farmers - KOAM TV 7

Relief is on its way for some Missouri farmers needing help with wells and irrigation.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visits the Joplin Regional Stockyards today to discuss the new Emergency Cost-Share program with farmers suffering from the drought.

Governor Nixon set aside $7 million for farmers to get relief from the drought.  If awarded ranchers will be able to drill or deepen wells on their properties or expand irrigations systems - 409 have been approved so far.

Last Tuesday, Tami Fredrickson and her family applied for Missouri's Emergency Cost-Share program and within 72 hours they received approval for financial assistance to drill a well.

"Time is of the essence right now," says Fredrickson.

Sarcoxie cow and calf rancher Gale Turner was also approved.

"It's going to save us a lot of money," Turner says.

"Since getting this program up in six days we've had 1,154 applications for emergency water assistance on that 90/10 match," says Governor Nixon.  "Our hope is to get these dollars out as soon as possible to get these operators in place, the folks raising cattle, other types of live stock, dairy, turkey, chicken, to make sure they have the profits they need to stay in operation, in what's been a very, very dry and hot year."

Because of the drought the Fredrickson's water supply has been extremely low.

"We have approximately 3,00 school age and preschool kids come through our farm every Fall," says Fredrickson.  "We teach them about farming and how things grow and so it's a big deal for them to have things to look at instead of just dirt."

Thanks to the program in about a week the Fredrickson's will have a well installed that will pump about 20 gallons of water a minute.

"We actually have an appointment with a well driller on Thursday," Fredrickson says.

Farmers approved could get up to $20,000 for drought assistance.

Applications must by filled out and submitted to the MO.GOV website by August 6.