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Rokita Leads Efforts to Secure Drought Relief for Hoosier Farmers

Press Release

Date: July 5, 2012
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Infrastructure

U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, along with other members of Indiana's congressional delegation, urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack last week to authorize the emergency use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to provide relief from severe drought conditions.

"My colleagues and I are calling upon Secretary Vilsack to quickly approve emergency access to CRP lands, which would provide Hoosier farmers additional means to combat these devastating drought conditions. Hoosier farmers are in urgent need of access to these resources if they are to sustain their livestock," Rokita said.

The Midwest, including Indiana, is experiencing one of the driest crop seasons on record. More than 40 percent of the state has been officially classified with drought conditions, and many counties are officially experiencing severe drought conditions. Depleted crops are increasing the costs to sustain livestock, and in turn increasing food costs for Hoosier families. Farm animals relying on these crops for food are in danger as supplies are depleted.

Through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a cost-share program managed by the USDA, reserve grasslands are available as a potential livestock food source. Emergency haying and grazing of these lands may be authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture.


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