Bismarck, N.D. - Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and N.D. Grain Growers President Mike Martin today met with U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Mike Johanns to press for immediate disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers hard-hit by drought in the upper Midwest, as well as for improved crop insurance in the upcoming Farm Bill. The Lt. Governor also met with Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Dalrymple told Johanns that either a disaster title or improved crop insurance in the upcoming Farm Bill are essential to maintaining a healthy agriculture economy in North Dakota and other states that have been suffering from a severe drought in the past few years.

"I impressed on both the Secretary and the Senator the importance of helping farmers recover from severe losses in the past two years," Dalrymple said. "To get things back on track, we need to provide short-term relief to producers now, but we also need to make sure we have a solid safety net in the new Farm Bill to break the cycle of repeated emergency disaster aid legislation."


The U.S. House of Representatives is reportedly considering a $4.3 billion disaster aid amendment as part of the military supplemental funding bill on Thursday. It's success will depend on how much other non-military related spending is attached to the bill, Dalrymple said.

Also important, Dalrymple said, was drafting a Farm Bill that encourages productive partnerships between agriculture and renewable energy, particularly in the area of biofuels, not only to help the farm economy, but also to help reduce the nation's dependence on foreign petroleum.

Johanns described a concept to make Conservation Reserve Program lands available as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol pilot projects and up to $3.6 billion in loan guarantees and research and development of biomass projects. Dalrymple said the North Dakota Legislature is currently reviewing legislation as part of the state's comprehensive renewable energy plan that would create a biomass energy pilot project, which could be a prime candidate for USDA and Department of Energy programs, Dalrymple said.

"Policies that promote agriculture-based renewable energy technologies are not just desirable, they're essential," Dalrymple said. "We have a thriving renewable fuels industry in North Dakota, nurtured by enlightened state policies, but we also need a strong commitment from Congress and the Administration to make the most of our opportunities."


"I addressed the initiative of cellulosic ethanol today with the Secretary, something that could bring a new profitable option for North Dakota producers,," said Martin.? I felt the Secretary was very receptive on creating a way to move forward with pilot testing of technologies required for future development of the dedicated biomass crop industry. There appears to be adequate funding for these types of research efforts from the forthcoming energy title."


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