In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4) highlights the importance of crop insurance to farmers and ranchers on the Plains where volatile weather conditions present constant challenges. "Probably the most important element for us is just simply crop insurance." Rep. Cole said [in part]: I represent 14,000 farms and ranches as well. Agriculture is a huge part of our economy and a big pa... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10) is joined by Sec. of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA where they discuss agricultural research and innovation and the importance of a strong farm bill. Rep. Denham and Sec. Perdue said [in part]: Denham: Well Mr. Secretary, we are here in Tulare at the World Ag Expo. You and I have had a chance to drive around and ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Committee sent its budget views and estimates letter for fiscal year 2019 to the House Budget Committee. Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) offered the below remarks: “Our committee is writing a farm bill under significantly different circumstances than it was four years ago - prices were high and the farm economy was strong. Things couldn’t look mo... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: We have one heck of a task before us this year, and that is getting a farm bill done—and done on time. Given the state of the ag economy, it can’t come soon enough for producers. With a 52 percent drop in net farm income over the past 5 years, and USDA predicting another drop in farm income to the lowest level in 12 years, the American farmer and rancher is at ser... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8) is joined by Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, where they discuss the need to maintain a strong farm bill and key areas of interest to Georgia farmers. "We look forward to working with Zippy and all of the farmers and agribusinesses throughout the United States to try to make sure that we get [the farm bill] rig... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) addresses the various ways the farm bill impacts rural America. From nutrition programs to rural broadband, the farm bill is critical in keeping rural communities thriving. "As we look further into the 21st century, we’ve got to ensure that even our constituents in the very rural areas of our districts get access to broadband." Rep. Davis s... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Following the release of the Trump administration’s FY 2019 budget proposal, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) issued the joint statement below: “As Chairmen of the Agriculture Committees, the task at hand is to produce a Farm Bill for the benefit of our farmers, ranchers, consumers and ... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Kristi Noem (SD-At Large), a life-long farmer and rancher, joins her neighbor and fellow farmer Eric Solsaa as they discuss the farm bill's essential role in maintaining our nation's food security. "Everybody eats, not everybody farms. We cannot let another country grow our food for us, or they will control us." Rep. Noem and Mr. Solsaa said [in part]: Hi every... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) made the following comments after the House approved long-delayed disaster relief for U.S. farmers and ranchers: “President Trump called on Congress to enact hurricane, wildfire and natural disaster relief for millions of Americans still working to put their lives back together after last year’s record-breaking loss... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Committee hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he briefed members on the current state of the rural economy and the agency’s recently released farm bill priorities. Following the hearing, Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) made the below remarks: “We are writing this farm bill under dramatically different circumstances than we were f... Read more »
