The wet conditions are hampering fieldwork for farmers in more ways than just one this year. The frost has come out of the ground and that, combined with the already wet conditions from this past fall, is taking a toll on roads; many of those which farmers and ranchers use daily. While disaster declarations provide access to federal emergency funds, this process requires careful procedures to ensure costs remain eligible. Ramsey County Highway Superintendent Kevin Fieldsend, who also serves as president of the North Dakota Association of Counties, says this concern is on everyone’s mind. “If we get more moisture, it’s going to keep making things worse. It’s also hard for us to get any (maintenance) equipment down those roads to get them fixed.” With the economic downturn due to COVID-19, North Dakota counties are seeing funds normally devoted to roads disappearing. There has been a reduction in traffic on roads, therefore motor fuel tax collections are well below normal. Typically, 22 percent of this tax revenue is dedicated to counties. Fieldsend says a decrease in road revenues could not come at a worse time. “People have to travel the roads to get their farming done.” Listen to the full RRFN story here.