BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong will hold a press conference today in Fargo to announce a program to support temporary and permanent grain storage solutions and bridge financing for the repair or replacement of agriculture infrastructure for North Dakota producers impacted by recent storms, including a June 20-21 storm that spawned over a dozen tornadoes and straight-line winds.

Armstrong declared a statewide disaster for the June 20-21 storm and activated the State Emergency Operations Plan after multiple tornadoes, strong winds and hail caused widespread damage across the state, claiming the lives of four people. The storm destroyed tens of millions of bushels of grain storage, crumpling grain bins like paper cups just two months before harvest. Armstrong surveyed damage in the Enderlin, Page and Hunter areas last week, hearing directly from producers about the urgent need to replace grain storage before harvest begins.

Gov. Armstrong will hold a press conference at NDSU today at 12:30 pm.  We will have live coverage on Ag News 890 this afternoon.