Gov. Rounds Applauds Johanns' Actions for Drought Rellief
Gov. Rounds applauds johanns' actions for drought relief
More than $10 million coming in drought aid
PIERRE, S.D.Gov. Mike Rounds today is thanking the administration and USDA Sec. Mike Johanns for delivering a comprehensive drought aid package during a visit on August 29 to a drought stricken ranch in StanleyCounty.
"Mike Johanns' roots as a family farmer make him keenly aware of the importance of agriculture to our state," said the governor. "I am very pleased that the secretary and his team have worked with us to provide timely and specific drought relief to those farmers and ranchers who need it the most. While we wait for Congress to act on additional emergency drought relief, this is a very welcome first step."
During a visit to the ranch of Don and Lura Kirkpatrick of rural StanleyCounty, USDA Sec. Mike Johanns offered a comprehensive drought aid package comprised of three key areas:
- $3.9 million in Livestock Assistance Grant Funds for livestock producers in counties designated as D3 or D4 on the USDA drought monitor. In South Dakota, 42 counties qualify for this assistance. This program will be administered by the SD Department of Agriculture.
- $4.7 million in funding for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Funding for ECP is appropriated by Congress and administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of USDA.
- $1.6 million in funding for the Grassland Reserve Program. The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property which was severely damaged by drought.
The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map maintains drought conditions across the state, except for a small area around Sioux Falls. Impacts of the drought are still serious in many areas. According to State Climatologist Dennis Todey at South DakotaStateUniversity, some reduction in drought status will likely be coming in subsequent weeks. The negative impact on corn, cattle feed and water will still exist as these rains come too late for corn crops and too late to help grasslands grow this fall. Green-up has been reported in some areas of the state where rainfalls have fallen, reducing some of the fire danger. More detailed information on the drought is available at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/South_Dakota/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/index.asp
http://www.state.sd.us/governor/