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Rep. Chris Jacobs: Congressman wants regulations eased on American agriculture to help with disrupted food supply
Posted by on March 25, 2022
Orleans Hub
By Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY-27) America’s farmers have been integral to our survival throughout our nation’s history – a fact the Covid-19 pandemic reiterated as American producers worked tirelessly to keep our shelves stocked. Now, in the face of the invasion of Ukraine – America’s farmers and their importance will once again be evident on the world’s stage. Ukraine is a major exporter of agricultural products – especially wheat and other grains. In fact, under normal conditions, they supply 11.5% of the world’s wheat. Over the last four years, America imported hundreds of millions worth of agricultural products from Ukraine. The disruption of the global food supply caused by Russia’s invasion could lead to civil unrest and food insecurity – or worse. Our nation has an incredible capacity to grow and produce food that could help offset the food shortages Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens. Now more than ever, the focus of America’s policymakers must be on bolstering American agricultural production to feed Americans and the rest of the world. This would seem like a clear and distinct bipartisan priority. Unfortunately, the urgency with which I believe this situation must be addressed is not shared by my Democrat counterparts on the Agriculture Committee. Last week we held a hearing – not on Ukraine, not on aiding farmers suffering from fuel prices and input supply chain challenges, not on the impacts of poor state policies on farmers. Instead, we held a hearing on the Democratic Party’s misguided and unrealistic climate priorities. It was the President and his administration’s radical and unrealistic climate policies that led us to the energy crisis we face now. Now, it is the administration and Democrats in Congress’ radical and unrealistic policies that are wasting precious committee time, despite clear and convincing evidence we should be focused on policies to remove regulatory burdens and bolster our food supply. America’s farmers are under increasing pressure and narrowing margins. High fuel prices from the bad policies of this administration threaten operations as we head into the planting season in New York. Inflationary pressure on inputs threatens the already slim margins our farmers operate within. These challenges are compounded by a recent decision by the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board to lower the overtime threshold which threatens the long-term viability of farming in New York. These are very real threats that could bankrupt and handcuff one of our oldest industries at a time when we need them most. I’ve taken action to push for better trade deals, more domestic energy production, rules and regulations on trucking and shipping that benefit agriculture, easier access to fertilizers from other countries, and ending vaccine mandates to ease these burdens. Farming and a steady supply of American-produced food are critical to our national security – now more than ever. The shortsighted, and quite frankly, out-of-touch priorities of the administration and Democrats in Congress need an immediate course correction. Our focus in the Agriculture Committee must be squarely placed on supporting American agricultural producers and processors. Congressman Chris Jacobs Orchard Park Jacobs represents the eight-county 27th Congressional District that includes Orleans County.
Rep. Austin Scott: How Putin’s war is emptying the breadbasket of the world
Posted by on March 24, 2022
The Washington Examiner
By Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08) Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine isn't just robbing Ukraine of its freedom — it is stealing from the breadbasket of the world. If history is any guide, the actions of this unhinged man may cause one of the most disastrous global food supply shortages since World War II. Ukraine exports over 50 million metric tons of corn and wheat to the world, and Ukrainian farmers would normally be planting crops right now. With Putin's invasion, that is unlikely to happen. Russia and Ukraine were expected to provide around 30% of global wheat exports and 20% of corn exports prior to Putin's invasion. For context, the United States accounts for approximately 11% of global wheat exports. Putin's blockade in the Black Sea is an act of economic warfare against the world. Any shipping restrictions in the Black Sea will not only slow trade but will also make it more expensive. Countries in the Middle East and Africa rely on the Black Sea trade for critical supplies such as wheat. Even the U.S. relies on Black Sea trade to export more than $130 million of poultry products to Central Asia and other countries in the region. Russia and Belarus account for 40% of global potash exports, which is key for fertilizer. This significant decrease in fertilizer supply hinders global agricultural production and heightens the likelihood of food insecurity for at-risk nations. I have been working in my unique capacity as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee to monitor and prepare for the global food shortage caused by Putin's obsession with restoring the former Soviet Union. With over one-fourth of Ukraine's grain exports going into the Indo-Pacific region, I asked the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to research what a 5-10% reduction in the food supply would look like in this region in a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing. I also warned U.S. Southern Command about the food shortages that countries in the Western Hemisphere could soon experience and asked that it also look at the impact of a decrease in the global food supply. A common misconception when discussing global food supply reduction is that a 5% reduction means that countries will equally see a similar decrease in supply. The reality is that grain prices will increase, and some countries will struggle to compete in the newly higher cost market while wealthier countries will still be able to purchase grain and shift the cost to consumers. Many of the world's poorest countries may see a significant decrease in food supply to their people due to rising global costs. A prolonged war in Ukraine means hunger is on the horizon for any nation that cannot adjust to higher food prices and any consumer who cannot foot the bill. Countries in South Asia, Western Asia, and Africa are at major risk for food insecurity because they rely on the Black Sea for the transit of their food. Grains are not the only food on deck for a price increase. Ukraine is also the largest producer of sunflowers in the world, making them the largest exporter of sunflower oil, responsible for over 40% of global supply. The U.S. uses tons of sunflower oil annually to produce food such as potato chips. India is one of Ukraine's largest buyers of sunflower oil, with 80% of it supplied by Ukraine in 2021. China, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy are also major importers of Ukrainian sunflower oil and will experience market disruption. As Ukrainian farmers watch their farms turn to battlefields and trade their tractors for tanks, know that the devastating impact of Putin's invasion extends far beyond Ukraine. His continued aggression will have catastrophic consequences that are felt on a global scale. Rep. Austin Scott is a Republican who represents Georgia's 8th Congressional District.
Opinion: U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann says America's future depends on agriculture
Posted by on March 21, 2022
The Hutchinson News
By Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01) We need good agricultural policies. America’s future depends on it. Over the past month, I have gone to the House Floor five times to deliver speeches from my Farm Bill Impact Series. With these speeches, I have been raising awareness about some of the Farm Bill’s most important programs and titles and calling on Congress to support the development of this crucial legislation. If America is going to thrive, the people who feed, fuel and clothe Americans must thrive. Our national security depends, in no small part, on food security, and the Farm Bill helps ensure the success of American agriculture. Congress must understand, maintain and reauthorize the Farm Bill in 2023 because America’s freedom, national security and self-determination depend on it. American farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers are my heroes. I came to Congress to defend agriculture and Kansas conservative values because growing up on a farm taught me the most important lessons I’ve ever learned: hard work, self-determination, responsibility, creativity, others before self and prayer. Of all the hardworking, resilient people in our country, agricultural producers face more challenges and uncertainty than most of us can imagine. A late winter snow in Washington, D.C. means a frustrating commute to work. In Kansas, a late winter snow means essential moisture for the soil, better hopes for the spring, profits that might let you buy that tractor you’ve needed for two years now, and if there’s some money left over, an extra birthday present for your daughter in July. Kansas’ own Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from a corn field.” In Congress, we deal with the laws of our land, and that’s important, but farmers are the custodians of our land itself. Agriculture is a risky business, and Mother Nature is a tough business partner. Almost no other American industry faces such volatility from forces like pests, disease, wind, drought and fires – like the ones in Reno County and Paradise in the last few months. Natural disasters are make-or-break situations for the people who ensure that America remains the most food-secure country in the world. That’s why Farm Bill programs like crop insurance and livestock indemnity, for instance, are so critical. I have heard countless stories from producers all over my district who have used various Farm Bill programs to help them conduct their business. A veterinarian from Ashland told me that during the Starbuck Fire of 2017, to which he was an emergency responder, Clark County alone lost 6,000 to 9,000 head of cattle right at the beginning of calving season. One producer suffered $1.8 million dollars in cattle losses during the disaster. The Livestock Indemnity Program helped producers who lost cattle in this disaster put their livelihoods back together; however, LIP only covered cattle mortality at the time – not severely injured cattle. Rather than watch badly injured cattle get euthanized just to trigger LIP, this veterinarian helped make changes to the program that are still in place today, which provide better protection for producers and their livestock. A Kansas farmer who understands the importance of crop insurance recently said to me, “The very first year that I was farming, I was not sure that I wanted to take out insurance. My mom convinced me to manage my risk, and so I did. That year was extremely dry in the spring, and my first crop of wheat only made 12 bushels to the acre. If I didn’t have crop insurance, that year would have put me in a deep hole, and I would have missed my equipment payments. I have never forgotten that, and I have carried crop insurance every year since.” These are just two examples of the hundreds of programs that help ensure American farmers can thrive as they serve all of us with their self-sacrificial labor. American farmers built our history, sustain our present and secure our future. In the early 1930s, America was suffering from food insecurity. That’s when Congress woke up, realized that above all other concerns, we need to eat to survive and drafted the first Farm Bill. Now, nearly one hundred years later, America is the most food secure country in the world because of the strength of our agricultural producers. So, when Congress gets the opportunity to reauthorize the Farm Bill every five years, we need to think carefully and critically about the extent and nature of our investment in agriculture because it’s an investment in both the immediate and the long-term health of our nation. Strong American agriculture is about freedom – that’s why it’s so important to get agriculture policy right. A nation that must rely on another country for its food supply isn’t free. I always strive to be a staunch advocate and an ambassador for agriculture. That’s why I’m bringing U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Glenn 'GT' Thompson, R-Penn., to the Big First for an agricultural tour this week – to show him the beauty and power of what’s happening in Kansas. In Washington, D.C., as we gear up for the 2023 reauthorization of the Farm Bill, I will continue to stand on the House Floor to share my thoughts and amendments on the legislation. On behalf of my constituents and every American farmer, rancher and agricultural producer, I want to say unequivocally that I will do everything within my power to ensure that the 2023 Farm Bill invests powerfully in agriculture. America’s future depends on it.
Bipartisan bill will change checkerboard of broadband connectivity in rural America
Posted by on October 11, 2021
The Hill
By Republican Leader Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) Millions of Americans lack access to reliable, high-speed internet service, and the inequality is particularly striking in rural America. The rural broadband gap results in lost opportunities to expand businesses, learn new skills, educate our children or even participate in daily activities. I represent a sprawling rural district that encompasses nearly 25 percent of the landmass of Pennsylvania. While I am fortunate to live in an area with high-quality internet service to my home, just a few miles away, my neighbors are on the wrong side of the digital divide. It is like this across my district and across this country, with digital haves and have-nots on the same road creating a checkerboard of connectivity. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the urgency of rural broadband as so much of American life shifted online — from work to education to medicine. But the connectivity struggles in rural communities predate this pandemic, and Americans without high-speed internet access are being left behind. As the Republican leader on the House Agriculture Committee and senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I have seen rural residents marginalized without access to e-commerce or commercial shared services, which are increasingly relevant today. But it’s not just about goods and services. Homeschooling horror stories are widespread as numerous families can recount driving to the nearest library, grocery store or fast-food restaurant to sit in the parking lot, connect to public Wi-Fi and attempt to complete schoolwork. Virtual learning is nearly impossible when students don’t have access to a reliable internet connection.
This is a story we have seen before. For more than 200 years, America has built communication and transportation networks, each of which has helped bring this vast nation closer and bridge the divides of their eras. Canals and the post office gave way to railroads and telegraphs, which, in turn, gave way to highways and telephones. Today, we continue these efforts by expanding our modern communications network, the internet. Congress has tried to tackle rural broadband development and deployment for years. In 2018, we passed a farm bill that addressed rural and regional development issues across the country. The farm bill established a minimum standard broadband connection for rural service areas and imposed rigorous new buildout requirements to ensure broadband networks financed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) meet the long-term needs of rural residents. The bill also targets limited resources, so assistance focuses on the most rural and least-connected residents, which are often the most expensive to connect. While the farm bill was a step in the right direction, we must continue to look for ways to bring rural America into the 21st century. That’s why in July, the House Agriculture Committee passed bipartisan legislation to expand the USDA’s rural broadband programs to meet the needs of every rural community, nationwide. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act is a plan to invest $43.2 billion in the USDA’s Rural Development broadband programs by:
USDA has the expertise, experience and resources to bring these investments to rural America quickly and responsibly. Together with chairman David Scott (D-Ga.), our committee set the stage for this historic investment. This bill recognizes the tremendous work USDA continues to do in fostering the development and deployment of broadband connectivity. Like networks of previous generations, universally available broadband will tie the farthest reaches of our country together. And like those previous networks, it will bring untold economic, social and cultural prosperity to every American, rural and urban alike. Now is the time for Congress to be serious about solutions to close the digital divide in rural America. Our bipartisan bill passed unanimously out of the House Agriculture Committee because it is good policy and proves we can overcome our greatest challenges when we work together. Rep. Glenn Thompson is the Republican leader on the House Agriculture Committee and represents Pennsylvania’s 15th District.
A growing economy provides opportunity to move more Americans off food stamps
Posted by on December 18, 2019
Houston Chronicle
By Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Horace Cooper, co-chairman of the Project 21 Black Leadership Network The American economy is growing rapidly, unemployment is at historic lows and job opportunities are everywhere. We can all agree it is a terrific time for Americans looking to enter the workforce. But when the Trump administration recently finalized a rule that simply holds states accountable to the bipartisan 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, commonly known as President Bill Clinton’s signature welfare reform, there was a flurry of outrage and hyperbolic headlines claiming otherwise. Disingenuous media reports and misrepresentations by many politicians have led many Americans to believe President Donald Trump is taking away critical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for children and those with debilitating disabilities. But nothing could be further from the truth. There are over 36 million individuals receiving SNAP. Of them, fewer than 3 million are categorized as able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) between the ages of 18-49. This new rule prevents states from seeking unlimited waivers for SNAP eligibility for ABAWDs and instead encourages them to reenter the workforce. The unemployment rate is at a historic 50-year low of 3.5 percent, yet nearly 75 percent of childless, able-bodied adults receiving SNAP benefits are not working at all. These are the very men and women who should be invited to join a booming economy and not be cast aside simply because it’s easier to offer a monthly SNAP allotment rather than undertake the hard work of helping them transition to independence. This group of capable adults should be encouraged to seek services through the countless employment and education-related services available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), community partners and other federal and state government programs. This hand-up is the very core of this rule - to ensure states stop requesting waivers and instead start working with recipients to better their station in life. Over half of states left federal employment and training dollars on the table in 2018, with some states forfeiting more than $1 million. Many states do not allocate additional funding for child care services, and others provide minimal transportation or related services. It is unconscionable that taxpayer funds are being used to keep people on benefits yet not to help them stand on their own two feet. We are a nation of giving, but we do not live in a world of unlimited resources. Moving individuals from welfare to work posts a return on investment in the form of reduced government spending, allows a reallocation of resources to the truly needy and results in increased tax revenues. It is also a benefit to employers who are introduced to a new pool of potential workers. As these workers mature in their careers, their potential for new skills, savings and other success increases. Opponents on the left — in Washington and across America — are fine with the status quo. They like to — on repeat — say this important rule violates the will of Congress. But what they do not say is that they were opposed to a pragmatic policy in the 2018 Farm Bill that not only would have encouraged work through a reduction in waiver abuse but also would have reinvested every dollar saved into the very programs that have successfully educated, trained and assisted these individuals in finding and retaining employment. It is easy to demonize the policy when you didn’t think of it yourself. Despite the intent of the 1996 law, Clinton and Obama-era regulations created egregious arrangements where states could manipulate data sets to waive large swaths of this able-bodied population from even looking for work - even in times of low unemployment and economic growth. The present administration’s rule is very clear: states should not have the ability to haphazardly distribute waivers to individuals who don’t need them. The media’s rhetoric will have you believe that state flexibility to request waivers has been annihilated. Facts win again because states maintain every right to provide waivers to areas experiencing high unemployment, ensuring that those who don’t have access to jobs will not be punished because of circumstances outside their control. We must stop choosing a world where success is measured by the number of individuals receiving aid, but rather define progress by how many use the services and support provided to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Closing the Gap Between Welfare and Work
Posted by on June 20, 2019
Florida Daily
By Rep.Ted Yoho (FL-3), member of the House Agriculture Committee Recently, there have been a variety of stories in the news reflecting extensive fraud and abuse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). In New Jersey alone, a grocery store employee admitted he took part in a $1.9 million SNAP fraud scheme, and separately, a couple admitted to exchanging over $4.5 million in SNAP benefits for cash across a period of four years. In Massachusetts, an individual used 75 different Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy over $250,000 in food for his wife’s restaurant. Unfortunately, Democrats and their pro-status quo advocacy allies have tried to convince Americans that SNAP fraud is an insignificant problem. Here in Jacksonville, however, more than 200 individuals were identified as taking part in food stamp fraud in just six short months, many of whom were able-bodied adults. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report that showed instances of benefit trafficking range from $960 million to $4.7 billion per year, which would make it over 7 percent of total SNAP spending – spending that has exceeded $60 billion annually over the past nine years. While retailer and individual fraud and abuse are certainly problematic, these issues do not end at that level. One of the most flagrant and concerning abuses of this vital program occurs at the state level, where states manipulate data to waive large groups of individuals from the requirement to work, train, or volunteer. Currently, more than one-third of the country has these waivers in place. Fortunately, this abuse is not seen in Florida as our state does not use waivers. But states like California have successfully waived 55 out of 58 counties using old data and gerrymandered regions. This is especially concerning because in 2014 California had 49 out of 58 counties with an unemployment rate over 6 percent, yet today there are only 28 counties in the state with an unemployment rate above 6 percent. With the U.S. unemployment rate at a historic low, this type of waiver exploitation by states must end. In fact, the Trump administration recently proposed to reign in exploited regulatory language that has long waived the time limit – and subsequently the work requirement – for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving SNAP benefits. The underlying law regarding ABAWD waivers is vague and has resulted in past administrations improperly exploiting the associated regulations. This administration’s regulatory proposal prevents states from manipulating data and gerrymandering regions – practices states have come to know through leftist advocacy groups who pride themselves on a more robust welfare state. The proposal is simple: it modifies how states can seek these waivers, with an emphasis on the booming economy, available jobs, and training opportunities. It also requires states to use more relevant and timely data. Today, we are seeing historically low unemployment, and jobless claims have dropped to their lowest level since 1969. Coupled with average earnings nearing $28 per hour and over 3.2 million new jobs created, these positive indicators should bring hope for those looking to move from welfare to work. It is high time to stop marginalizing those receiving SNAP by incentivizing work in exchange for benefits from our most capable recipients. Democrats have tried to convince Americans that certain populations are incapable of work. However, in practice, three states that established mandatory minimum work requirements for ABAWDs – Florida, Maine, and Alabama – saw their ABAWD SNAP enrollment decrease by 94 percent, 90 percent and 85 percent respectively. Instead of stigmatizing the work capability of individuals who fall under the ABAWD category as the Democrats are doing, we should recognize work as an American value that we need to help all achieve. And by moving forward with the administration’s proposal we are that much closer to closing the gap between welfare and work, ultimately moving people into a vibrant middle class who are capable of reaching their American Dream. And I for one will not stop working to expose SNAP fraud; I want to ensure this program’s integrity is protected because I know from personal experience that this program is a vital lifeline to our most vulnerable friends and neighbors.
Clear Water Rule means relief for farmers, ranchers
Posted by on December 18, 2018
The Hill
By Rep. Mike Conaway (TX-11) and Zippy Duvall, president American Farm Bureau Federation In 2015 the Obama administration created a “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule that was so broad and vague that almost any spot where rainwater flows or pools might be tagged as a federally protected body of water. With the stroke of a pen, farmers and ranchers across the heartland suddenly did not know if state or federal law applied to their lands and what their compliance obligations would be. Like many of our stakeholders and constituents, we immediately saw the enormous consequences of this egregious regulatory overreach. The Clean Water Act is a flagship statute—and like many laws, it works best when its requirements are clear. This law carries penalties north of $50,000 for any activity that puts any “pollutant”—including dirt—into any regulated water. It certainly seems fair to let the people who make a living on the land know where those regulated waters are, especially when civil and criminal penalties come into play. What’s more, by telling people where the federally regulated waters are, we give them the information they need to comply with the law. That’s why we’re pleased that the new Clean Water Rule proposed last week by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers will have a new hallmark: clean water and clear rules. Based on what we see in the proposal, the new rule will do a better job of explaining which waters are regulated. It is broad enough to be very protective. It draws a clear enough line to provide fair notice. And it focuses mostly on things that look like water—not regulating land. No law or regulation is ever perfect, but we applaud the EPA and the Corps of Engineers for their diligence in putting forth a reasonable, common-sense proposal to protect our nation’s waters. The new Clean Water Rule empowers land owners with the clarity they need to comply with the Clean Water Act. Now, farmers, ranchers, and other small business owners will be able to look at their land and know—without a team of scientists and attorneys—which parts of their land are regulated by the Clean Water Act. For many rural Americans, land and water are the most valuable assets. Their farms, ranches, and communities are typically dependent on surface water sources, like streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, not only for their operations, but also to care for their own families. They are deeply aware of the value of clean water as a resource; their livelihood and lives depend on being able to preserve and protect it. Farmers and ranchers are committed to constantly improving their environmental stewardship. They embrace both traditional and new conservation practices, such as planting cover crops to soak up nutrients and protect the water and soil, because they care about clean water and all our natural resources. But under previous proposals, even proven, beneficial conservation practices on farms would require expensive federal permits wrapped in layers of red tape. Taking care of natural resources is a big deal across farm country. Agricultural producers care and strive every day to leave the land and water in better shape for the next generation. The Clean Water Rule will further empower them to do just that. Localities, states, farmers, ranchers—all Americans—can make their views on this rule known. The public should take the opportunity to submit comments on this important proposal which honors the law, protects clean water and provides clear rules. Rep. Mike Conaway is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and Zippy Duvall is president of the American Farm Bureau Foundation.
Conaway: Texas Values at the Heart of Farm Bill Talks
Posted by on July 31, 2017
San Angelo Standard-Times
By Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) The history of Texas is found in its dirt. It was written by generations of farmers and ranchers who coaxed life out of our hardscrabble countryside, pioneering families who braved the wilderness and established communities like San Angelo that we still call home today. Every Texan since has reaped blessings from the land they tamed, the wisdom they shared and the values they instilled. Wisdom about the land, its people and the business of farming and ranching forms the foundation of our communities. Values like hard work, grit, self-reliance, respect and humility are the code that we live by in rural Texas. This legacy has shaped each of us and provides Texans with a unique and important perspective on life, agriculture and conservation. Perspectives that are at the heart of our nation’s farm policy. As Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, which is preparing to craft our nation’s next farm bill, these are the perspectives I seek. So over the next several months, my colleagues and I are taking the opportunity to hear from stakeholders from across the country about what is and isn’t working in U.S. agricultural policy. And I can think of no better qualified or more important people to hear from than the heirs to over two hundred years of accumulated wisdom: the farmers and ranchers of West Texas. On July 31, San Angelo will play host to a farm bill listening session. Several members of the Agriculture Committee will be at Angelo State University to hear from those who know what farm policy works and what doesn’t. I don’t need to tell you that times are tough in farm country. With net-farm income dropping by 50 percent over the past four years, the agricultural economy has experienced the largest four-year percentage drop since the Great Depression. Now, more than ever, we need a farm bill to address the concerns facing production agriculture and all of rural America. This certainly rings true for my friends in cotton country. While countries like China and India are pouring billions of dollars into subsidies for fiber production each year, America’s cotton producers have been struggling to scrape by without a safety net to help them manage through these tough times. I’m committed to finding a solution to address the situation for those cotton farmers in need. But our work doesn’t end there. Agriculture in Texas and the surrounding region is as wide and diverse as its people. And the farm bill is essential to maintaining the vibrant agricultural economy for which Texas is known. Texas provides the country with an abundance of products including cotton, corn, sorghum, peanuts, sugarcane, wheat and rice as well as citrus, fruits and nursery products. The state leads the nation in livestock production and is also the home to a number of well-respected colleges and universities where agricultural research and extension programs remain a top priority, including Angelo State. Understanding the budget constraints our country faces, production agriculture will need to work together to reach an affordable, effective safety net that benefits farmers, ranchers and consumers alike. While tough choices are undoubtedly upon us, I believe we can craft a farm bill that represents all commodities and stakeholders as we work together to ensure the U.S. continues to enjoy the most abundant and affordable food and fiber supply in the world. I speak for the whole Committee when I say we are eager for the input of Texas producers and stakeholders. We want to know what policy changes would benefit you and your industry and believe it is essential we ensure all commodities and stakeholders have an opportunity to share their ideas for improvements. I look forward to a productive conversation in San Angelo and as always, God bless Texas and God bless the United States of America.
Mike Conaway, Ted Yoho and Neal Dunn: Input from the field needed for farm bill
Posted by on June 23, 2017
The Gainesville Sun
Take a step back and listen. That’s important advice to anyone working in Washington, but especially to those of us fortunate enough to represent our friends and neighbors in the halls of Congress. And nowhere does that ring clearer than within the agricultural community. With less than 2 percent of Americans directly involved in production agriculture, the few caretakers of our land and natural resources are a critical source of knowledge about what is and isn’t working in U.S. agricultural policy. President Eisenhower said it best, ”... farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” You need to get in the field and hear from those who know. That’s why on Saturday, we’re trading in our suits and ties for jeans and boots to join several other members of the House Agriculture Committee for a listening session with the farmers, ranchers and stakeholders throughout the region who have a vested interest in the next farm bill. We don’t need to tell Florida farmers and ranchers that times have been tough. With net farm income dropping by 50 percent over the past four years, the agricultural economy has experienced the largest four-year percentage drop since the Great Depression. Now, more than ever, we need a farm bill to address the concerns facing production agriculture and all of rural America. So we’re looking to Florida and its neighbors for help. Writing the farm bill is a big task, with a lot of moving parts — and it’s vitally important we get the policy right. The bill includes the risk management tools that are critical to helping farmers and ranchers endure tough economic times. It includes voluntary, incentive-based assistance to aid farmers in conserving and improving our water, air and wildlife habitat. It supports research to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are able to produce more with less. And it includes vital nutrition assistance for our most vulnerable citizens. We’ve eliminated planting restrictions — farmers can grow whatever the market demands, including nutritious fruits and vegetables. There are now more than 100 crops — including virtually all specialty crops — that are eligible for federal crop insurance, something vitally important to Florida. And, we’ve vastly increased our support for specialty crop research through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. These policies are essential to maintaining the vibrant agricultural economy Florida has come to depend upon. Florida provides the country with an abundance of products, including fruits, vegetables, peanuts, sugarcane, cotton and nursery products. The state leads the nation in the production of oranges, ranks second in vegetable production and Florida’s beef cattle industry is among the oldest and largest in the country. It is also the home to a number of well-respected colleges and universities where agricultural research and extension programs remain a top priority, including the University of Florida and Florida A&M University, both land-grant universities. So we speak for the whole committee when we say we are eager for the input of Florida’s producers and stakeholders. We want to know what policy changes would benefit you and your industry, and believe it is essential we ensure all commodities and stakeholders have a seat at the table to express their ideas for improvements, understanding the serious budget constraints we face as a country. Ultimately, we’re committed to providing Americans with a strong farm bill. Our U.S. agriculture community is as wide and diverse as its citizens, with each sector facing different challenges and opportunities. Every group has its own story to tell and a unique stake in the policy. Yet, the thing that unites us is the understanding that agriculture is important to every American and is vital to feeding and clothing our nation and the world. — U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Gainesville, and Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Panama City, are members of the House Agriculture Committee and Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, is chairman.
Protecting our Farmers and Ranchers
Posted by on March 23, 2017 GoSanAngelo These factors have collided over the past several years, leading to very tough times in farm country. In fact, net farm income has dropped 50 percent over the last four years, the largest four-year percentage drop since the start of the Great Depression. As Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, my focus is on ensuring that the farm safety net in the next farm bill works for our nation's farmers and ranchers, including our nation's cotton farmers. Spending on the farm safety net is well within our allowable limits in the World Trade Organization (WTO), and it pales in comparison to support being provided by other countries. For example, on corn, rice, and wheat — in 2015 alone — the Chinese government exceeded its allowable subsidy limits in the WTO by an estimated $100 billion. That’s more than the entire safety net costs over the life of a farm bill — plus more than half of another farm bill. It's also more than the United States has spent on the entire federal crop insurance system over the past 20 years combined. Beyond the farm safety net, the farm bill includes a variety of other important policies, including our voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, trade promotion and market development initiatives, international food aid, and agricultural research, just to name a few. The farm bill also authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides vital nutrition assistance for some of our nation's most vulnerable citizens. As we begin our work to reauthorize the farm bill, we are examining all of these topics in a series of subcommittee hearings. We are also planning a series of listening sessions that we will host around the country this summer to hear directly from producers. National Ag Day reminds us of the hard, life-sustaining work of our farmers and ranchers. The work they do is important, and it's important that we provide the tools they need to be successful. |