The drought of 1988 hit hardest in the upper Midwest _ perhaps nowhere harder than in North Dakota. More disaster relief aid went there than to any other state. The third story in a four-part series, ``Cashing In on the Drought,'' examines how the $3.9 billion disaster aid program helped farmers most in need.
Associated Press ' tracking of the 1988 drought relief package shows it did help those most in need . In North Dakota , the nation 's most agriculturally dependent state , more that 49,000 producers shared $ 410.2 million . The state lost two - thirds of its 1988 spring wheat . The relief payments reduced statewide production by $ 1.2 billion . Other drought - ravaged states were Iowa , Texas , Minnesota and Wisconsin . Disaster aid and crop subsidies put $ 500 million into Iowa 's economy , staving off bankruptcies and other financial problems . A university survey reported drought aid added $ 15,000 to the average farmer 's net cash crop of $ 6,300 . These states still needed a good year to get back on their feet , and it was not 1989 .