Thirteen North Dakota agricultural organizations sent a letter to President Donald Trump and other state and national leaders on Mar. 20, thanking them for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizing the importance of keeping a steady supply of food, fiber, feed, and fuel.
The organizations addressed their concerns to the president, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, members of North Dakota’s Congressional delegation, Governor Doug Burgum, and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The letter was signed by groups including the North Dakota Grain Growers Association; Northarvest Bean Growers Association; North Dakota Soybean Growers Association; North Dakota Farmers Union; North Dakota Stockmen’s Association; and several others.
In their message, the groups said decision-makers should recognize agriculture’s unique challenges in this period. “Agriculture cannot function properly if the basic tools such as seed, fertilizer, crop protection products, feed, pharmaceuticals, equipment and farm labor are not in place,” they wrote. The letter explained that neither agriculture nor the nation can afford for COVID-19 to negatively affect food production as farmers are in calving season and preparing for planting.
The letter concluded with a request: “We ask for your help to address the needs of agriculture, and we look forward to working with you and your administration on solutions.”
The official website reports that the North Dakota Grain Growers Association supports economic vitality for farmers through advocacy work at both state and federal levels while collaborating with other organizations such as the Midwest Council on Agriculture. The association also focuses on education initiatives designed to boost profitability for wheat and barley producers across North Dakota.
