Governor John Kasich has signed an executive order he says will help farmers affected financially by Ohio's recent drought conditions.
The order signed Wednesday instructs state agencies to help farmers seeking federal assistance on loans. That includes emergency low-interest loans for crop losses, relief payments for non-insurable losses and temporary deferral payments on federal loans.
The order also gives farmers permission to cut hay for livestock from land set aside for conservation.
The state Department of Agriculture says most of the state is in a moderate drought, with northwest and west central portions in a severe drought.