WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today said USDA has announced additional Kansas counties will be eligible for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land due to severe drought. This action brings the total to 104 counties. Marshall County is the only Kansas county that has not applied for assistance.

“I am pleased USDA has acted quickly to bring relief to those hard hit by severe drought across the state,” Roberts said. “I urge producers to contact their FSA office for more information.”

Senator Roberts has created a page on his website dedicated entirely to drought resources. It can be found here or at Roberts.senate.gov. It includes links to federal and state resources for those suffering from drought conditions.

Sen. Roberts also recorded an audio and video public service announcement (PSA) directing Kansans to call their Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for immediate assistance. The PSA can be found here.

“I urge farmers and ranchers to contact their FSA office and their crop insurance provider for immediate assistance,” Roberts said. “I have been in frequent communication with USDA officials and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and rest assured, we are all working together to provide you much needed assistance.”

Sen. Roberts, the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has fought to improve the safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers. He’s an outspoken advocate for crop insurance and has worked to strengthen the program in the Senate passed Farm Bill. Roberts also supported provisions for livestock producers included in the Senate passed Farm Bill to help in natural disasters like the current drought.

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