Tester Announces Assistance for Montana Counties Affected by Drought
Senator Secures Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers in Six Montana Counties
(U.S. Senate)– U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that farmers and ranchers in six Montana counties would have access to drought assistance through U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster relief programs.
“Northeast Montana has been hammered by drought and I’m pleased this critical farm-saving relief is available to those who need it the most,” Tester said. “I encourage all eligible Montana producers to contact their local FSA offices and apply for assistance.”
Farmers and ranchers affected by the drought are eligible to receive payments through the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program. Payments are determined by the intensity and length of the drought for the impacted areas.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Assistance is available for producers in Garfield, McCone, Daniels, Sheridan, Valley, and Roosevelt Counties.
Tester, the Senate’s only farmer, has held several farm bill listening sessions across the state. Tester will be advocating for Montana priorities in the next farm bill, which comes up for reauthorization in 2018.
Last week, Tester sent a letter to USDA urging them to assist eastern Montana ranchers during this drought.