Thirteen North Dakota agricultural organizations sent a letter to President Donald Trump and other state and national leaders today, thanking them for their efforts to protect the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and underscoring the importance of maintaining a steady supply of food, fiber, feed and fuel.
The letter was sent to the president, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the North Dakota Congressional delegation, Governor Doug Burgum and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and penned by the North Dakota Grain Growers Association; Northarvest Bean Growers Association; North Dakota Soybean Growers Association; North Dakota Farmers Union; North Dakota Stockmen’s Association; North Dakota Wheat Commission; Northern Pulse Growers Association; United States Durum Growers Association; National Sunflower Association; North Dakota Barley Council; Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association; Northern Canola Growers Association; and North Dakota Corn Growers Association.
In the letter, the groups urged decision-makers to be mindful of the unique challenges agriculture faces during this difficult time. “Agriculture cannot function properly if the basic tools such as seed, fertilizer, crop protection products, feed, pharmaceuticals, equipment and farm labor are not in place,” they wrote, explaining that neither the agricultural industry nor the nation can afford to allow COVID-19 to negatively impact food production. The situation takes on increased significance as North Dakota agriculturists are in the midst of calving season and preparing for the upcoming 2020 planting season.
“We ask for your help to address the needs of agriculture, and we look forward to working with you and your administration on solutions,” they concluded.