As I rode into Malvern, Iowa the rain was falling steady once again. Of course, this is the last thing the citizens of the southwest Iowa town want to see. Just like their neighbors, they have been battling the spring has brought to this part of the state. I got a very good idea to just how saturated the ground was when I stepped foot in the parking lot. The rain was not particularly heavy, but the gravel and rock were already spongy. This is where Iowa?s Senior Senator Chuck Grassley, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey, and his successor as the Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig addressed the citizens.
Residents came from both sides of the Missouri river. For as badly as the situation has been here in Southwest Iowa, it has been even worse in Nebraska. Discussions were varied as I listened to the audience. Some were talking about what they were going to about planting. Others were thanking their lucky stars they had gotten their grain to market in time. Also, there was a feeling of concern for those of their neighbors who hadn?t been so lucky. The main vibe I was getting from the crowd was a sense of questioning what they were supposed to do next.
Malvern farmer Gregg Schoening talked with us about the challenges they are facing. He said they had a little warning, but there wasn?t enough time to get things ready for when the levee broke. He said by the time the word had come the levee had broken, they already had 6 feet of water in their houses. He also described the damage to grain bins, saying it was something completely new for them.
Audio: Interview with Farmer Gregg Schoening
This is the very reason these three gentlemen had come to Malvern, to reassure the citizens. To help them find a path and a sense of what the next step could be.
Senator Grassley took the podium first to relay to producers what the government is working on to help them. He mentioned the $13.5 billion-dollar disaster bill that has been moving forward that was to help provide relief from Hurricane Michael. The Senator said that this won?t be enough to finish the job, but this won?t be the end of it. Grassley commented to the crowd that it doesn?t seem the Army Corps of Engineers has learned their lessons yet.
Next, Under Secretary Northey was up to talk about what the USDA is working on. He also reminded the audience where they could go to look for assistance. Northey carried a message from Ag Secretary Perdue. Northey said that Perdue was unable to get to Iowa, but Perdue wanted to have a complete picture of the damage to Iowa and Nebraska. Northey talked about the programs they have available. He said that programs could only do about 75% of the damage payments, but they were going to make sure they held up their ends. Northey said there is also efforts going forward to try and see what can be done to prevent these kinds of things from happening again.
Audio: Full Interview with USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig talked with the crowd next. He reminded them they know the problems won?t be solved next week, next month, or maybe even next year, but they will get fixed. Naig reassured the crowd Governor Kim Reynolds and the entire Iowa state government is ready to assist.
Audio: Full Interview with Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig
The farmers next had the chance to ask questions of the gentlemen. The biggest questions were what programs were going to be covering what damage. Whether it was cornstalks and sand which has washed everywhere, or what is the long-term plan for fixing the problems with protective measures along the Missouri River. Northey responded with the fact that other disasters such as Hurricane Michael and tornadoes in the south have put a strain on the emergency funding, but they were working on ways to secure more. Northey said that there is strong bipartisan support to get these programs funded. However, as Senator Grassley has said before, it is going to take time to fully analyze all the damage.
Senator Grassley also spoke very passionately about holding the Corps of Engineers accountable, for the work which needs to be done. Also, making sure the Congress is remembering their commitment to the citizens and their needs.
It was an event of information, emotion, and understanding. Make no mistake, there is a long road ahead for the people of southwest Iowa. This event was to remind those people they aren?t alone, and help is going to be coming as soon as possible.
