“It is evident that ranchers want hay in their feedyards and farmers want crops in the bin,” says North Dakota Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Brad Thykeson, who attended the townhall meeting in Fessenden. At the townhall, Thykeson spoke about WHIP+ disaster assistance, stressing the program is hinged on production. “To finish production in this environment, is going to be very hard, so farmers have to either settle with the Risk Management Agency or have that production in the county office.” Right now, 42 counties in North Dakota qualify for WHIP+. “Additionally, the Livestock Indemnity Program has been relaxed a bit and county committee members now have the final say.” The challenges associated with the recent blizzard and fall flooding in North Dakota are being communicated to the national level. Thykeson spoke with FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce during the storm and following the townhall. More can be heard from Thykeson in this interview.