Paulding, Ohio -
Farmers across West Central Ohio are dealing with the devastating damage to their crops caused by a lack of rain. However, Doug Goyings and other farmers in Paulding are also dealing with the effects of wind and hail damage that came on June 29th.
"We'll go in the hole," said Goyings.
Goyings took Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Under Secretary Michael Scuse on a tour of his farm. The long time farmer told Scuse he expects a total loss on his corn crop. He also estimated at least $750,000 in structural damage.
Local USDA officials say they often see pockets of bad crops in the county. This year, though, the losses are county wide.
Paulding County USDA Farm Services Director, Phil Lautenschlager expects structural damage to farmsteads alone will reach $25 million.
Scuse says similar stories can be heard nationwide.
About 1,000 counties have already been declared agricultural disaster areas. Officials expect Paulding to eventually join the list, but Scuse shared with farmers some of the ways the government can help.
The agency has streamlined the paperwork needed to declare a disaster area, and interest rates on loans have been lowered.
Goyings says despite the damage, he'll continue farming.
"We'll rebuild it," said Goyings.
The summer is only half over. That means the true impact of the weather is still to be seen.
