JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is announcing additional funding to help drill or deepen water wells after intense demand from the state’s farmers.

On Tuesday, Nixon announced an emergency program that would cover 90 percent of the cost for a water project with a maximum cost-sharing award of $20,000. Typical state soil and water cost-share programs cover 75 percent of the cost. The state Soil and Water Commission this week approved $2 million for the assistance program.

However, by Thursday, the governor’s office said more than 600 farmers had applied for the funding and that 33 contracts had been awarded.

Nixon was holding a news conference to announce additional funding Thursday at the state Department of Agriculture in Jefferson City.