Spring is in the air and so are murmurs of farm bill progress!
A couple of key developments this week give us some indications that the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are ramping up their farm bill discussions.
First, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced a proposal making changes to crop insurance, the FARMER Act. His bill would increase premium support for the highest levels of coverage and reduce producer deductibles. This action follows a January letter from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) outlining her priorities for improving crop insurance and other farm bill programs.
Later last week, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) stated that he’s aiming to have the farm bill out of his committee by Memorial Day. This is the most specific timeline for farm bill action the Chairman has stated thus far. We’re encouraged by these recent actions, and Farmers Union is well-positioned to take advantage of this farm bill momentum! Next week, a robust group of emerging Farmers Union leaders from across the country will visit D.C. for Advocacy Training, where they will learn strategies to best advocate for Farmers Union’s priorities and then put their knowledge to action in meetings with their members of Congress. A handful of other state Farmers Union leaders and delegations are also planning to make trips to Capitol Hill this spring. During these visits, our grassroots policy priorities will take center-stage and with so much recent activity on the farm bill, we’re striking while the iron’s hot!
