“It’s not good,” said Dave White, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, responding to a question about what he saw on a recent visit to northeastern Missouri. White surveyed a struggling cover crop on Harry Cope’s farm near Truxton, Missouri, about 75 miles northwest of Downtown St. Louis.
White heard concerns and suggestions from Missouri farmers about what they’re going through and about federal drought assistance programs.
What White was able to take away from the conversation with Missouri farmers is that the drought has resulted in a greater need for flexibility in government programs, “and NRCS is certainly going to do its part to be as amenable as possible to flexibility,” he said.
Beyond government visits to affected fields, beyond conversations about government programs and money, White told Brownfield Ag News that it’s important to remember the drought’s human impact.
AUDIO: Dave White (3 min. MP3)
Latest: 
