NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio (AP) -- Drought-stricken dairy farmers struggling to feed cattle in eastern Ohio are getting hay donations from around the country thanks to a plea from a Mennonite agency.

The (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times Reporter ( http://bit.ly/NtXzyS ) says the donations help farmers who may be considering whether to sell their cattle herds because of a lack of pasture or feed.

The Eastern Ohio/Northwest Pennsylvania Unit of the Mennonite Disaster Service requested the help in a letter this month to churches in its network east of the Mississippi River. The nonprofit service is a network in Anabaptist churches in North America that organizes volunteers to help after disasters.

About 30,000 pounds of hay already has been donated. Organizers say more is on the way for any needy farmers in Tuscarawas, Holmes and Wayne counties.

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Information from: The Times Reporter, http://www.timesreporter.com