North Dakota farmers say they welcome disaster aid approved by the federal government, but that it won't solve all of their problems.

"People see '$3 billion' and think it's a lot of money. Yes, it is," said Carmen Richards, who farms near Hope. "But it's not going to take care of all the problems we're facing."

Richards said she does not believe many Americans understand how soaring fuel costs and other expenses affect farmers. And she said the fact that disaster aid was passed as part of a war spending bill and not stand-alone legislation indicates that some Washington lawmakers still don't take farmers' problems seriously.

Congress approved the $3 billion in agriculture disaster aid Thursday night, as part of a compromise war spending bill that will provide money for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Bush signed the bill Friday.

Farm-state lawmakers and producers have been pushing for disaster aid for more than two years.

"This is great news. It's been a long, hard fight," said Woody Barth, a Solen farmer who traveled to Washington last fall with hundreds of other farmers to lobby for aid.

North Dakota producers are expected to get as much as $170 million in aid.

"It means a great deal," said Willow City farmer Jim Diepolder. "The sad part is, in the two years of waiting for this, we have lost other farmers, some even this spring."

The legislation will compensate farmers who have sustained at least a 35 percent loss in either 2005, 2006 or before March 2007. Recipients must pick a year for which they want to be paid.

Only 42 percent of their loss will be covered. For livestock producers, the payment will be 61 percent of losses.

"This wasn't some great money giveaway," said Glenburn farmer Scott Backes. "This is a Band-Aid situation."