Posted 10/09/2024

For immediate release: Oct. 9, 2024

For more information, contact:

Jason Leiseth, NDSF president: (701) 770-1129 • jpleiseth@gmail.com

Randy Schmitt, NDSA president: (701) 537-3440 • schmittranch@hotmail.com

Julie Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org

Elizabeth Hasenwinkel, NDSA communications director: (701) 833-1162 • ehasenwinkel@ndstockmen.org

North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and Foundation to

provide wildfire aid, launch disaster relief fund

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) and North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF) have teamed up to support cattle ranchers who suffered significant losses in wildfires in the northwest and other places across the state this month. Drought conditions and nearly 80-mile-an-hour winds created a lethal combination and exacerbated a multitude of fires that ignited across North Dakota starting last weekend.

As of Oct. 8, more than 88,000 acres had already burned, and several fires were still raging. Livestock industry losses include pasture, hay, stored feed, fences, buildings, farmsteads and livestock. Sadly, the fires also claimed at least two human lives. More livestock losses are expected to accrue over time as pneumonia and other disease set in from smoke inhalation and burns.

“It’s hard to imagine what these producers are going through right now,” said NDSA President Randy Schmitt, a Rugby, N.D., cow-calf producer. “The fires have impacted their homes, their livestock, their communities, their whole world – everything they hold dear. Plus, until there’s substantial moisture to dissipate the chance for flare-ups, they live with the fear of fire starting up again.”

To help North Dakota cattlemen and women offset losses from these destructive fires and the challenges that are sure to linger long after the last flame is put out, the non-profit organizations are launching the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program. The NDSA and NDSF have kickstarted the relief fund with a $50,000 initial contribution and are inviting others to join them by contributing to the effort.

“Together, we can help rekindle hope in producers who have suffered serious losses,” said NDSF President Jason Leiseth, an Arnegard, N.D., cow-calf producer whose own ranch was in the line of fire but narrowly missed last Saturday. “Our family was lucky, but there are many that weren’t. We want to do all we can to help them through this catastrophe.”

Monetary contributions to the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program can be made two ways: 1) Checks can be made to the NDSF with “Out of the Ashes” written in the memo and sent to 4520 Ottawa St., Bismarck, ND 58503; or 2) Credit card gifts can be made online by clicking here. The gifts will be pooled and distributed in their entirety to North Dakota cattle ranchers this winter through an application and nomination process. A committee comprised of fellow ranchers will review the applications and distribute the funds to those most in need.

Application and nomination forms for the disaster relief program will be available at the end of the month at www.ndstockmen.org.

The NDSF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, so gifts can be deducted as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. For more information about the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program or other ways to help, call (701) 223-2522 or visit www.ndstockmen.org.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has reactivated the Hay Hotline, which is one of those ways. The Hay Hotline is a clearinghouse to connect those in need with those with gifts of hay, fencing supplies and other tangible items to offer. For more information about the Hay Hotline, visit https://www.ndda.nd.gov/hay-hotline-rancher-relief or call (701) 328-5110.

The NDSA is a 95-year-old beef cattle producers’ trade organization that works to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state’s beef industry. The NDSF is a charitable organization that supports the beef industry with scholarship, leadership, promotion, research and building projects and disaster relief. Together, the organizations have distributed more than three-quarters of a million dollars in direct aid to cattle producers recovering from catastrophic floods, blizzards and wildfires since 2009.

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