US Giving $48 Million to Help Western Farms Handle Drought

The Obama administration is announcing $48 million in grants to help farmers and ranchers in the West conserve water and energy amid drought and climate change.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is scheduled to discuss the plan Thursday in Colorado. The Agriculture Department says the effort will include 76 projects in at least 11 states.

The department says the program will include improving irrigation systems.

The grants will come from both the Agriculture and Interior departments.