Drought, Fire and Freeze: The Economics of Disasters for America's Agricultural Producers
From the devastation of the Dust Bowl in the ‘30s to the historic droughts that parched much of the country last year, weather disasters have played a significant role in the story of American agriculture – as well as the nation’s economic security. This hearing will examine the toll weather disasters have taken on American agriculture – which employs 16 million Americans – and what steps can be taken to safeguard the economy from future catastrophes. Witnesses will include Dr. Joe Glauber, Chief Economist at the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Roger Pulwarty, Director of the National Integrated Drought Information System at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as farmers and ranchers from across the country.