Hoeven outlines forthcoming agricultural assistance under CARES Act

Farmers, ranchers, commodity groups and other agriculture industry organizations will receive nearly $25 billion in agriculture assistance that U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) helped secure in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which became law on March 27.

Sen. Hoeven, chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, provided an update on the federal funds during a recent conference call organized by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

“The support we secured for our farmers and ranchers under the CARES Act comes at a critical time for agriculture,” Sen. Hoeven said. “We appreciate Governor Burgum and Commissioner Goehring for working with us to get this info out to ag groups around North Dakota.”

The new law specifically provides $14 billion to replenish Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing authority for the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and $9.5 billion in separate funding for USDA to help producers impacted by COVID-19, including specialty crop and livestock producers.

“We will continue our efforts with the administration as well as our farmers and ranchers, including through more conversations like the one today, to ensure this assistance is delivered promptly and meets the needs of rural America as best as possible,” said Sen. Hoeven.

According to his office, Sen. Hoeven continuously worked to ensure support for farm country in the CARES Act, including by leading a Senate colloquy to outline the importance of the provisions after the original legislation was blocked from advancing.

Sen. Hoeven also teamed with the American Farm Bureau to organize a letter of support for the bill from agriculture groups across rural America.