Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven recently facilitated meetings with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in North Dakota to engage with local farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses. A primary focus of these meetings was to gather feedback on the next farm bill and to discuss the current status of disaster assistance efforts.

In a notable development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in the process of distributing $10 billion in market-based disaster assistance, an initiative advocated by Hoeven. To date, $5.8 billion has been provided, including nearly $480 million to North Dakota producers. Additionally, $6 million in disaster relief for damaged rural electric infrastructure in North Dakota has been released by the USDA. This funding is part of a broader package secured by Hoeven in prior legislation.

Emphasizing North Dakota’s prowess in precision agriculture, Hoeven stressed support for local initiatives such as Grand Farm. He noted securing $6 million between Fiscal Years 2022 to 2025 for the AgTech Cooperative Agreement among North Dakota State University (NDSU), Grand Farm, and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

“North Dakota is an ag powerhouse today, and we’re making sure that, through innovation and good farm policy, our leadership in this vital sector continues to grow,” stated Hoeven. He commended Secretary Rollins for engaging with stakeholders in North Dakota to understand regional needs, stressing the importance of a tailored approach to farm policies. Hoeven underscored the necessity of a robust farm safety net, stating, "Farming isn’t a monolith. If we want to keep our network of small family farms, we have to ensure the farm safety net actually works when it is needed most and in the wide variety of circumstances our producers face."

The Senator is actively working on enhancing elements of the farm bill, including crop insurance and safety nets such as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. Hoeven aims to improve affordability and coverage levels, and secure access to credit through modernized loan limits at the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Additionally, there's a focus on strengthening livestock disaster programs and maintaining support for U.S. sugar policy.

Hoeven’s legislative efforts are complemented by his work with USDA to expedite the $21 billion weather-related assistance for losses in 2023 and 2024, which includes $2 billion designated for livestock producers affected by wildfires. Producers can apply for the market-based assistance online or through local FSA offices, with more information available on USDA’s website.