DelBene Announces Funding To Help Growers Hurt By Heat, Drought

Northwest Washington’s Suzan DelBene recently announced $10 billion in relief funding for farmers and other agricultural producers impacted by the summer heat and drought. Nick Martin, with DelBene’s office, said this funding was secured via WHIP+ program, recently approved by the House.

"This time, for the first time, Congresswoman was able to secure excessive heat as an eligible disaster. That's a result of the June heatwave that impacted the Pacific Northwest, with temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit.”

This year’s WHIP+ program provides aid to producers that suffered crop loss, smoke exposure to wine grapes and milk loss and more. Martin added DelBene also spearheaded a bipartisan penned letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack for additional relief for Northwest producers.

"They're doing what they can to look into different programs and flexibility to see what's available and we've heard from producers that their able to access some programs through new flexibilities to get additional aid and working with USDA to see what else is available.”

According to Martin, the USDA is working with House committees to determine the value of the loss due to excessive heat and drought.

Washington Raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry farmers have reported widespread losses of 20% to 80% of their crops and harm to the canes that will produce next year’s crop.

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