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Minnesota farmers can now apply for drought assistance

Minnesota farmers can now apply for drought assistance recently signed into law by Governor Walz.

Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen tells Brownfield producers in 83 counties could be eligible.

“Putting together this drought package, we really heard from farmers that everybody across the state was just about impacted by the drought.”

He says there was a week last August when 80 percent of the state was suffering from severe drought, 50 percent was in extreme drought, and 10 percent of Minnesota was under exceptional drought.

“The rains came back around and it helped really save and finish off the corn and soybean crop in many parts of the state. But what was lost was that summer pasture, two or three hay crops, so that really put a lot of farmers behind.”

Petersen says it’s one application per farm and he encourages producers to have documentation like receipts ready in case there’s an audit.

“I think most people are pretty focused on added fencing, water, feed, transportation costs, and then our specialty crop growers as well.”

Interested farmers should visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website to learn more and to apply.