Sorensen Works to Bring Relief to Farmers Suffering from Drought

Congressman Eric Sorensen | Official U.S. House headshot

By Rock Island Today Reports

Jul 3, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07), and Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) wrote a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide relief to farmers and ranchers suffering from severe drought by initiating the process for permitting emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres.

“On behalf of over 75,000 Illinois producers, we respectfully request that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiate the process for permitting emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for Illinois livestock farmers. For the past few months, Illinois farmers continue to experience a prolonged period of drought which is impacting producers throughout the state,” the members wrote.

Read Rep. Sorensen’s letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

On behalf of over 75,000 Illinois producers, we respectfully request that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiate the process for permitting emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for Illinois livestock farmers. For the past few months, Illinois farmers continue to experience a prolonged period of drought which is impacting producers throughout the state.

The Illinois Farm Bureau held an emergency conference call on June 21st with Illinois congressional staff and state USDA officials to discuss the drought conditions. Farmers have reported a loss of forage production. In addition, the latest drought monitor from the National Weather Service (NWS) shows much of west central Illinois, north central Illinois and southeast Iowa in a severe drought. In the coming days, the NWS forecasts a continuation of hot, dry weather for most of the state.

Please authorize the emergency haying and grazing declaration to bring much needed relief to our livestock producers. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and please contact Nadia Cortez at Nadia.Cortez@mail.house.gov with questions.

Issues: Agriculture

Original source can be found here.

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Illinois' 17th Congressional District• Agriculture

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