Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, chair of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, has received a commitment from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to focus on staffing Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. This effort aims to provide essential support for farmers and ranchers across the nation. Hoeven highlighted the significance of the $33.5 billion in agriculture disaster aid he secured at the end of last year, which is intended to assist farmers and ranchers while Congress works on improving crop insurance and updating reference prices in the upcoming farm bill.

Hoeven expressed gratitude to Secretary Rollins for delivering $10 billion in market-based agriculture disaster assistance and is collaborating with her to advance an additional $21 billion in weather-related assistance. Secretary Rollins announced that the USDA's application process for weather-based agricultural aid will commence in the coming weeks.

"We have to make sure we’re getting it done for our farmers and our ranchers every single day," stated Hoeven. "We want to work together to find savings, but we have to know that we’re still going to deliver the service that keeps our family farms and ranches going, to the benefit of every single American."

He further added, "We appreciate Secretary Rollins making it a priority to fully-staff and keep open FSA offices. These front-line FSA officers are the ones who work directly with our farmers and ranchers and help provide the service they deserve."