Gov. Doug Burgum announced on Nov. 1 that North Dakota has requested a secretarial disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help agricultural producers facing significant crop losses due to extreme weather conditions.
The request seeks to make federal assistance available for farmers and ranchers affected by an unusually wet harvest season, which officials say has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in commodity losses across the state. The move follows reports that excessive rain, early snowstorms, flooding, and high winds have severely impacted harvests.
“We’re committed to making sure North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers have access to every available resource to cope with these unprecedented and miserably wet fall harvest conditions,” Burgum said. “Secretary Perdue has been very responsive and understanding of the extremely difficult situation facing our ag producers, and we appreciate his consideration of a disaster designation to help them through these stressful times.”
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said, “The unusual and relentless wet weather pattern has created an overwhelming situation for many North Dakota farmers and ranchers. It has been one of the toughest seasons on record. We appreciate the help of the delegation, FSA and other agencies in requesting this designation; and we thank Secretary Perdue for his consideration in order to provide access to federal resources for our producers.”
According to estimates reported by county Farm Service Agency boards, nearly $423 million in lost value is attributed just to crops with at least a 30 percent loss threshold met in each county. Billions more are at risk when considering additional crops not included in those figures as well as livestock losses suffered by cattle ranchers statewide.
A total of 45 out of North Dakota’s 53 counties meet eligibility criteria for a secretarial disaster declaration based on production loss data, while two more—Morton and Billings—qualify due to difficulties securing commercial financing. Six additional counties are seeking deferrals pending further assessment once harvesting is complete.
If approved, the designation would enable implementation of Emergency Farm Loan Programs through FSA as well as Economic Injury Loan Programs from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Eligible producers may also qualify for assistance under programs such as WHIP+ (Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program Plus) if their county receives either presidential or secretarial disaster status from USDA authorities.
Burgum declared a statewide flood emergency on Oct. 21 after multiple cities—including Grand Forks, Jamestown, LaMoure, Lisbon, Valley City, West Fargo—and twenty-two counties issued local emergency declarations related to flooding or blizzard events earlier this fall.
Goehring said state officials are continuing efforts beyond this request: “We are continuing to look at solutions for other situations that may not be covered by a secretarial designation.” Individuals seeking information about farm or ranch assistance can visit www.NDResponse.gov.
