Klamath County, Oregon – To strategically protect its agricultural sector, Klamath County has launched a new grant program to help ranchers and farmers combat severe infestations of locusts and Mormon crickets, pests that seriously threaten the livelihoods and ecology of local communities by causing extensive damage to crops and the natural environment.
Recently, the Oregon State Legislature passed legislation (SB 5701, Section 408) and a temporary administrative order to support pest control projects aimed at reducing the damage these insects cause to agricultural fields. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has allocated $100,000 through this program to support the farming community in Klamath County.
The county has developed a reimbursement program to administer this money. A special committee, consisting of representatives from the Klamath Irrigation District, the Klamath Drainage District, the Van Brimmer Ditch Co. and at least two local residents, has been appointed to oversee the application and distribution process. This committee will review submissions from affected ranchers and farmers and make recommendations to the Klamath County Board of Commissioners on how to distribute funds.
The funding application period runs from October 15 to October 31, with the last day being 5:00 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted. The committee will meet in November after the application process to review all ideas and finalize its funding recommendations.
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The official Klamath County Grants website has application forms for farmers and ranchers in need. Although county officials admit the $100,000 may not cover all losses, this financial assistance is seen as an important first step in helping the hardest-hit members of the farming community through this difficult time.
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Interested parties should contact the Klamath County Grants Office directly at 541-851-2264 for more information or to apply for a grant. This project highlights the county’s commitment to keeping its agricultural base intact and minimizing the negative impacts of these recurring insect pests on local businesses.
