While the rain might make Gene Kelly feel like belting out a song, it sure didn't bring any "glorious feelin'" to northwestern Minnesota this summer. Horrendous flooding in June and July devastated the area, causing an estimated $370 million in total losses (including $267 million in crops). As time progresses, that estimate is expected to rise.
Northwestern Minnesota is the producer of 90 percent of the state's wheat, and this year at least half of the crop was destroyed. The flooding is also expected to have eroded area land values, as well as precious topsoil. And to top off the black cloud that's settled over the region, the new farm bill has no provision for disaster assistance to farmers.
—Benjamin Knelman
