Following final listening session, House leaders are ready to craft farm bill

Current and former members of the House Committee on Agriculture shared their thoughts on the importance of the upcoming farm bill.

AgWeek | By Chairman Glenn Thompson and Reps. Brad Finstad and Michelle Fischbach

Minnesota is more than just the land of 10,000 lakes, it is also home to thousands of farms that grow, produce, and raise the food our country eats every day.

As current and former Members of the House Committee on Agriculture, we are committed to being leaders for American agriculture, which includes standing up for our hardworking producers, processors, ranchers, foresters, consumers, and every small business across the agriculture value chain.

That's our motivation, and that's our goal for this year’s Farm Bill.

As one of the most honorable professions in the world, the dedicated farmers and ranchers of America work hard to provide the food, fuel, and fiber we need every day. It is our responsibility in Congress to reciprocate that dedication by working together to introduce a Farm Bill that revitalizes rural America, supports our producers and consumers, and remains accountable to taxpayers.

Our top priority is to ensure this Farm Bill is written by farmers, for farmers, and by rural America, for rural America. Over the past year, we have crisscrossed the country, spending thousands of hours listening to and learning from the hardworking men and women whose livelihoods depend on the policies set by the Committee.

This year, Farmfest and rural Minnesota get to play an integral role in the process during our final listening session of the year. This listening session will put Minnesotans' stamp on the upcoming farm bill, and we look forward to the feedback.

As we conclude the listening portion of our work, we begin putting pen to paper, crafting the 12 titles that make up the Farm Bill. We have also embarked on a bullish education and engagement effort for Members and staff. With more than 200 Members who have never voted on a Farm Bill, we recognize the need to equip Members with the information and tools to fully grasp the magnitude and necessity of a Farm Bill for every American.

Food and farm security is national security, and that’s more important now than ever before. Trade wars, supply chain issues, record-high inflation, conflict in Europe, and natural disasters have all strained our agricultural industry.

This Farm Bill must first address the needs of farmers and ranchers. The current farm safety net stems back to the 2014 Farm Bill, which was crafted using 2012 cost of production data. In nearly a decade, conditions have rapidly changed, and farmers are now paying production costs that are more than 50% higher than in 2012.

In 2023, producers will spend almost a half-trillion dollars on their operations. We must ensure they have adequate risk management tools to protect that investment in the farms and ranches.

Commodity programs and crop insurance can both play a key role in mitigating that risk for row crops, livestock, and specialty crops — but there is more work to be done to enhance and expand the safety net.

In addition to the safety net, the Farm Bill touches nearly every aspect of life in rural America, from programs that expand broadband access and bridge the digital divide, promote a healthy environment through the conservation and forestry titles, invest in critical agriculture research, and so many more.

In short, every American has something to gain from a highly effective Farm Bill. While the journey toward a successful Farm Bill in 2023 will not be without its hurdles, we remain committed to getting it across the finish line and signed into law.