The Family Farm Alliance will be represented tomorrow on a Western drought webinar, hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Alliance Executive Director Dan Keppen will provide an overview of the drought impacts facing farmers and ranchers in the Western U.S.

Historic drought conditions continue to rapidly worsen and expand with over 80% of the West now in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Widespread impacts are being felt. To provide the latest information on drought conditions across the Southwest, California, Pacific Northwest, and the Missouri River Basin, as well as the serious impacts on diverse sectors of the economy, NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) program is joining with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to host a drought webinar specifically for Western communities.

The webinar will begin at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time, including Arizona), Tuesday, July 20. A registration link is provided below. Stakeholders, decision makers, and drought experts will discuss the latest on drought conditions and response efforts. The webinar will include a summary of past and current conditions, looking at a variety of drought indicators such as snowpack, temperatures, precipitation, and soil moisture. Outlook information for drought, heat, and wildfire will also be provided.

Representatives from President Biden’s Interagency Drought Relief Working Group will discuss the work being done across the federal government to address the drought conditions, financial and technical assistance, and other resources available to bring relief and build more drought-resilient communities.

Presenters from multiple sectors and communities will speak about the drought related impacts they are experiencing. Joining Mr. Keppen on the “Western Perspectives” panel are:

● Jeff Schafer, President, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association;
● Laura Fox, EPHT Senior Epidemiologist, State of Arizona;
● Nicole Vaillant, U.S. Forest Service; and
● Bidtah Becker, Navajo Nation

CLICK here for the webinar agenda.
Register here for the July 20th webinar happening at 10 AM PST.