Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven announced the approval of $33.5 billion in disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers across the United States, following Congressional negotiations to fund the government. The package also extends the Farm Bill by one year.

“Our farmers and ranchers have faced severe challenges this year from both market conditions as well as wildfires and other natural disasters. This assistance for our producers is vital to keep their operations going and ensure that Americans continue to have access to high quality, low cost food,” said Hoeven. “This assistance was necessary given the Democrats’ unwillingness to pass a farm bill that updated reference prices. We’ll continue our efforts to pass a strong farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net and keeps the farm in the farm bill.”

As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven played a key role in securing funds aimed at mitigating losses due to natural disasters and market difficulties. The package allocates $10 billion for economic losses in 2024, $21 billion for disaster-related losses over 2023 and 2024, along with an additional $2.5 billion for various agricultural disaster needs.

North Dakota's agricultural sector is expected to receive over $600 million specifically for market-related losses. Included within this funding are provisions such as $2 billion allocated for livestock affected by events like wildfires, alongside $3 million designated to support domestic sugar producers through enhanced testing of molasses imports at entry ports.