“Farmer co-ops welcome President Trump’s announcement that his administration will move forward with a major assistance package to help producers navigate one of the toughest economic periods we’ve seen in years. With cash prices under pressure, export markets disrupted, and farm balance sheets stretched thin, producers across the country have been shouldering sustained financial strain. This support is both timely and necessary.
“The Farmer Bridge Assistance program, as outlined, recognizes the dual challenges farmers are facing: sharp losses in key overseas markets and a prolonged slump in commodity prices. Taking both into account is essential to ensuring that the aid reflects real-world conditions on the ground.
“While we commend the Trump administration’s action today, USDA is now at the limit of what it can do without further congressional action. Therefore, we urge lawmakers to do their part and pass any needed additional assistance, ideally as part of finishing a new farm bill.”
About NCFC
Since 1929, NCFC has been the voice of America’s farmer cooperatives. Our members are regional and national farmer cooperatives, which in turn consist of more than 1,600 local farmer cooperatives across the country. NCFC members also includes state and regional councils of cooperatives. Farmer cooperatives allow individual farmers the ability to own and lead organizations that are essential for continued competitiveness in both the domestic and international markets.
America’s farmer-owned cooperatives provide a comprehensive array of services for their members. These diverse organizations handle, process and market virtually every type of agricultural commodity. They also provide farmers with access to infrastructure necessary to manufacture, distribute and sell a variety of farm inputs. Additionally, they provide credit and related financial services, including export financing.
