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USDA announces disaster assistance

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced more than $340 million in assistance for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities impacted by natural disasters.

The Secretary made the announcement at a stop in North Dakota on Tuesday.  Rollins says the administration is delivering critical aid through the USDA Disaster Assistance Fund that will provide immediate relief.

More than $5 million will be allocated to rebuild electric infrastructure in North Dakota following damage from severe storms and wildfires.

The USDA will also deliver $25 million in relief to North Carolina communities and $18 million to Tennessee communities that have been impacted by hurricanes since 2022. 

Secretary Rollins says the Trump administration is making improvements to the fund by eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies, which will enable the department to put Americans first.  She says the critical aid will be deployed as quickly as possible. The department will ensure that funds are managed more responsibly and effectively. It will respond immediately to a backlog of requests from impacted communities and waive limiting eligibility criteria, such as income requirements and population limits.

American Soybean Association president Caleb Ragland says the association is pleased the funds have been made available, and it will help the many farmers and ranchers who are trying to rebuild their homes and businesses.