Boone and Cole counties included in Missouri governor’s drought order

Missouri’s governor has signed an executive order declaring a drought alert for 53 counties in southern and mid-Missouri, including Boone, Cole and Cooper counties.

Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters that a drought in July can literally mean financial loss or ruin for Missouri’s farm families.

“Missouri farmers are already facing high fertilizer costs, unprecedented fuel prices, supply chain issues and increasing operational costs,” Parson says.

The governor has also ordered the state Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Conservation to allow farmers to access water at state parks and conservation areas.

Mid-Missouri’s Howard and Miller counties are also included in the drought alert. Governor Parson  describes Missouri farmers as a critical resource for our state, and state Department of Agriculture (MDA) director Chris Chinn says there’s no pasture in many areas.

“Today almost 75 percent of Missouri is in a drought, with 35 percent experiencing severe to extreme drought. Basically, the entire southern half of Missouri is in a drought condition,” Chinn tells Capitol reporters.

Missouri’s Soil and Water Conservation Commission has called a special meeting for Monday to consider assistance for farmers and ranchers. DNR will be assessing state park areas that can be made available for haying.