Sayre, OK – Oklahoma producers affected by drought will have another opportunity to seek assistance beginning Oct. 5 after an additional $2 million was added to the state's current Emergency Drought program.

The Emergency Drought Commission met Sept. 22 to review drought conditions across Oklahoma, the status of the current program and additional assistance for producers. The new funding is an addition to the existing program and is not considered a separate program.

According to information provided by Cassandra Ausher, district manager of the North Fork of Red River Conservation District, current unfunded ED4 alternate applications will expire at 12 a.m. Oct. 4. Those producers will need to submit a new application using the revised application form.

Districts can begin accepting applications at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5. Applications will be funded in the order they are received, whether submitted in person or by email. Applications submitted by email before 8:30 a.m. will not be accepted and must be resubmitted.

The revised application form is required for all applications beginning Oct. 5. Previous versions will not be accepted.

Producers may also receive assistance for eligible practices started or completed between July 15 and Oct. 5, 2026.

Producers who received the maximum amount of eligible funding during the initial ED4 period cannot apply again. However, producers currently funded for less than $7,500 are eligible to reapply for an opportunity to receive additional funding.

Eligible practices include pasture taps, pumping plants, pipelines, watering facilities, wells and pond cleanouts.

All pond cleanout projects, including newly approved applications, must be completed and final invoices submitted to the conservation district by Dec. 31, 2026.

Work involving pasture taps, pumping plants, pipelines, watering facilities and wells must be completed, with final invoices submitted, by July 1, 2027. That deadline also applies to currently funded applications.

Paper applications may be picked up before Oct. 5, but applications cannot be officially submitted until the program opens at 8:30 a.m. that day.

Producers with questions about the program or application requirements should contact the North Fork of Red River Conservation District.

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