ND Gov. Hoeven: USDA To Provide Aid To Ranchers In Disaster Impacted Areas

April 10, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $750,000 in Section 32 funds to assist North Dakota ranchers impacted by severe winter weather and flooding this season. The money is part of a permanent appropriation used for domestic food programs and disaster relief for farmers.

Hoeven asked N.D. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring to create an expedited plan to distribute the funding to ranchers in dire need of feed, and provide the assistance as quickly as possible.

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The news came following a conference call organized earlier today at Hoeven's request with Sec. Vilsack and North Dakota farm and ranch leaders to ask the secretary once more for federal aid for producers.

Vilsack informed Hoeven last week that the Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) were not yet available because rules were not yet written for them. Hoeven asked him to find other programs that could assist producers.

"We are working with Secretary Vilsack to get more assistance through USDA, including more feed assistance, snow removal, carcass disposal and livestock indemnity," Hoeven said.

Included in today's call were leaders of North Dakota farm and livestock organizations and officials from USDA's Farm Service Agency, Rural Development and Natural Resource Conservation Service, as well as Commissioner Goehring.

Source: North Dakota Governor