North Fork Red River Conservation

10/14/2026

10/05/2026

We had a full parking lot this morning with producers waiting patiently to apply for the Emergency Drought program. This is a similar scene to the sign-up in March. This is a good visual of how much the drought has impacted producers here in Western Oklahoma. Water makes the 🌎 go round. We need it to survive. Thank your legislators for the funding that goes into this program.

10/03/2026

‼️‼️ EMERGENCY DROUGHT SIGN-UP PSA ‼️‼️

📅As Monday approaches for the opening of the second round of applications for the Emergency Drought Program, we have the potential for a long line of people wanting to apply. We will open the door at 8:30am and NO sooner. We ask that you are patient as you wait and have read the application VERY thoroughly and have everything completed so we can process all the applications as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Just a reminder: in order for your application to be accepted it MUST be filled out in its entirety, every single box that is asking for information MUST be filled out or checked ✅. This includes GPS points, W-9, and IF NOT the landowner you need TWO ➕ additional pieces of paper: Landowner Consent Form plus a legal document establishing the applicant's right to control the farm (written leases, deeds, grazing agreements, or other legally enforceable instrument). Landowners who lease their land are not eligible to apply. Your application MUST be signed and dated! It is your responsibility to read the application in its entirety and read the guidelines. We are not responsible if your application is not complete.

You can find the full guidelines on the program and who is eligible to apply at the website below.

Emergency Drought Assistance Program The Emergency Drought Assistance Program will run from March 9, 2026 - June 30, 2026Press ReleaseProgram GuidelinesApplicationIn-Kind ContributionSelf-CertificationW-9 FormDrought Monitor Map

10/02/2026

After the board meeting yesterday, board members and staff got to work planting herbs and veggies for the Sayre Senior Citizens Center high tunnel. We are hopeful the plants can be transplanted and get a small harvest before a hard frost sets in. These will get transplanted into raised gardens beds that will be located inside the high tunnel.

The high tunnel was made possible through the District Innovation Grant program run through the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. We applied for the grant last October and were awarded $10,000 to pay for the construction of the high tunnel. PF Greenhouses (Phocus Farms Greenhouses) installed the high tunnel for the Senior Citizen Center. The City of Sayre also contributed by paying the remainder of the balance that the grant did not cover.

There are BIG plans for this high tunnel. We have the first education event scheduled for later this month. If you are interested in getting involved, please message us or call us at the office.

09/30/2026

UPDATE:

Please go to this website below and review the guidelines/rules VERY CAREFULLY. If your application does not have everything included, it will NOT be accepted. (like a lease agreement if you are the renter).

Also pay close attention to the verbage of what constitutes a farm. If you are a landowner, but lease the land to someone else, you are not eligible to apply, the leasee has to apply.

https://conservation.ok.gov/emergency-drought-assistance-program/

📢📢📢 Emergency Drought Program Has Been Extended 📢📢📢

READ VERY CAREFULLY

The North Fork of Red River Conservation District will be taking applications for the Emergency Drought Cost Share program from 8:30 am on October 5, 2026, through October 30, 2026.

This is an extension of the current emergency program, so if a producer was fully funded during the March application period or later as an alternate when funding became available, they are not eligible to re-apply.

Approved alternate applications that have not been fully funded will expire at midnight on October 4, 2026, and those producers must re-apply for the new funding.

The program provides cost share assistance (80% cost share rate with a $7,500 maximum payment) on water wells, pumping plants, pipelines, pasture taps, heavy use area protection, pond cleanouts, and watering facilities.

This program is retroactive to July 15, 2026, so if you have installed an approved practice since that date, you may qualify for financial assistance.

The new program deadlines are December 31, 2026, for pond cleanouts and July 1, 2027, for all other practices.

This program is a first come, first served funding process. Applications are not considered complete without GPS coordinates of the desired installation location, a W-9, and a landowner consent form or other legally binding document if you are NOT the landowner. Approval and funding are contingent on a field visit and visual inspection to determine need.

Applications are available from the district’s office at 902 NE Hwy 66 Suite C in Sayre or you can download one from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission’s website. If you are on our email list you should have received an email today with directions and the application.

If you can’t make it to the office, you can request one be emailed, but note that is subject to staff availability. There may be delays in fulfilling your request and subsequently delay application approval.

For inquiries, call Cassandra at 580-928-3113 ext. 3019 and leave a message if unavailable. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

09/29/2026

🌧️🌧️🌧️Rain rain DON'T go away! How much do you think we will get by the end of the day??

09/28/2026

09/25/2026

FSA has added 30 million new base acres nationwide to strengthen the farm safety net. Producers can now view their base allocation notification and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2026 crop year. Contact your local FSA office to make an appointment. https://www.fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator