December 14, 2021

Late last night the Oregon Legislature passed the $98.7 million drought relief package in the second Special Session of 2021. The drought package that passed last night was a great improvement over the previous drought package having increased from $75.7 million to $98.7 with most of the additional funding being directed to Jefferson County farmers and ranchers, North Unit Irrigation District and Jefferson County.  Additional information will be shared once we understand how and when the funding will become available. The drought package provides:

$40 million in forgivable loans to producers and irrigators who have sustained losses to the drought.

$9.7 million will be directed to irrigation districts to ensure they will continue to provide critical services.

$10 million for farmworkers who had to miss work because of extreme weather conditions or smoke.

$1.5 million to direct financial support, in the form of grants, to small-scale farmers impacted by drought, heat, or wildfire.

$1 million for drought resiliency work in Jefferson County, administered through OWEB.

$3 million for emergency soil conservation fund in Jefferson County (OWEB to Jefferson SWCD).

Full details of the Special Session Drought Relief Package are attached

Please contact NUID Executive Manager, Mike Britton, with any questions.