Republican governors caution about agricultural difficulties if the new farm legislation is not approved.
A coalition of Republican governors has sent a letter to important congressional leaders and agricultural policymakers, expressing concerns that postponed reforms and rising inflation are pushing farmers to their limits.
A letter endorsed by 17 U.S. governors highlights the challenges faced by the agriculture sector in recent years, citing increases in fuel, fertilizer, and feed costs driven by inflation.
The Farm Bill is an important U.S. law that gets updated every five years, covering various agricultural and nutrition policies such as crop insurance, disaster relief, conservation initiatives, and food assistance.
The 2018 Farm Bill will not be extended after September 30, 2024, which could impact various programs, including nutrition and conservation, as the fiscal year comes to a close.
With the 2023 Farm Bill still in limbo, Congress is looking at a possible one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.
The letter emphasizes that extending the 2018 Farm Bill again will keep farmers operating under an obsolete framework while they confront ongoing changes, asserting, “Domestic agricultural production is a matter of national security.” A nation that cannot sustain its own food, energy, or defense is unlikely to endure. The United States must ensure it does not rely on other nations for its food supply, especially when we have the finest farmers and ranchers available right here at home.
House Republicans turned down a 1,400-page Farm Bill that was put forward last month by Debbie Stabenow, the Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
Stabenow emphasized the need for increased funding in climate resilience and food security initiatives, asserting that her legislation aims to ensure “Farmers Farming, families fed, and rural communities strong.”
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, has expressed his concerns about the legislative process, highlighting issues with urgency and bipartisan cooperation.
Farmers can continue to operate under the 2018 Farm Bill if Congress approves a one-year extension, but the letter highlights the pressing need for a new bill to secure the future of American agriculture.
The governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia have signed the letter.
