"Out in Montana we're actually running out of farmers and ranchers," said 33-year-old Eric Doheny, a winter-wheat farmer from Dutton. "I look around and I don't see too many people my age out there."

Doheny, who made the trip with the National Farmers Union to push for the disaster relief, asked who would help save the farmers' way of life in Montana.

"I don't see anyone else stepping up to the plate," he said. Doheny and several other Montana producers joined a rally with national farm organizations at which members of Congress from farm states, including both of Montana's senators, spoke in favor of the relief package.

While in town, the Montana farmers also advocated for action on a host of other issues including an extension of the farm bill next year, fair trade and renewable energy.

They met with staffers in the offices of Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Rick Santorum, R-Pa., Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and with Reps. Robert Brady, D-Pa., and Jon Porter, R-Nev.

Brooks Dailey of Great Falls, president of the Montana Farmers Union, said if he weren't here this week he'd be getting ready to seed - but only if there's enough moisture.

"I have been through this drought situation for over six years," Dailey said. "It's really easy for me to see the need and how that money impacts not only our rural communities but the whole state."

Dailey said the money would flow into the community as farmers would use it to buy supplies, pay off bank loans and pay taxes. "This is not just a benefit to the farmer, it's a benefit to rural America," he said.

He said he didn't relish the trip but that it was necessary to keep American farmers producing enough food for the country. "I hate doing this, with my hat in hand asking for money," he said. "But on the other hand it's our money, not theirs."

Dale Schuler of Carter, Mont., who is president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, said the disaster assistance may be farmers' last hope. Producers have suffered through extended droughts and have spent much of their equity in their farms just to survive, he said.

A Senate agricultural spending bill contains $4 billion in agricultural relief, but the bill has little chance of passing this month or next. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. recently introduced a separate bill with about $6.5 billion in relief. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., introduced similar legislation but with a provision that would set aside money specifically for wildfire-related losses.

At the outdoor rally, Burns said Montana has had the most devastating range fires and forest fires this year in the history of the state. Despite a White House veto threat over the spending, Burns said the biggest challenge is getting the funds out of the House.

"They got to get the message there," he said. "I think if they get the message there, we can pass this piece of legislation, and we must do it."

"There are a lot of people in our parts of the country who, if this legislation is not passed, are either going to lose their places or they're going to come close to losing their places," Baucus said. "It's going to have a dramatic adverse effect on their lives."

Baucus said Americans respond to tornadoes, hurricanes and national disasters and that Congress provided billions to New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks.

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