The farm bill plays a crucial role in supporting Michigan agriculture, ensuring farmers have the resources and safety nets they need to succeed in a volatile economy. As farmers face challenges like fluctuating farm income, unpredictable weather and rising input costs, it’s important that both farm and nutrition programs remain part of the farm bill to provide necessary support across rural and urban communities. This legislation helps farmers maintain sustainable practices and ensures vulnerable populations have access to the food those farmers grow.
In this discussion, we explore the need for a modernized farm bill, emphasizing the integration of farm and nutrition programs, the importance of crop insurance, and strategies for ensuring farmers' voices are heard during the legislative process.
#1: Why is it important for us to support the inclusion of both nutrition and farm programs in the farm bill? How can a bipartisan approach strengthen these programs and benefit both rural and urban communities across our state?
It is essential to keep these two programs together: first because they are related but also so that the farm bill can maintain bi-partisan support. A vast majority of representatives are from urban districts that are disconnected from ag and would not see the importance of the bill without the nutrition component. Farmers grow the food for consumers and it's important that all people have access to quality food to feed their families. By having programs like SNAP it helps get the food that farmers have worked so hard to grow in the hands of families that need it most. (The Cornstalks; ProFILE)
Members of our group are in favor of subsidies for catastrophic insurance, but uncertain in regard to subsidies to stabilize pricing as it ends up with farmers overproducing and we are chasing our tail. We’re not sure if it is important to include both nutrition and farm programs other than it may help get the farm bill passed. (Kirk’s Farm Bureau Group; Livingston County)
Member 1: I personally do not believe the Farm Bill is “necessary,” but for those who do, it is important to include nutrition and farm programs together because that is the only way to gain enough support to pass. It may be called the “farm” bill but over 75% of the funding is allocated to nutrition programs. While it is important to me to support those in need, I fear a government-run system is often abused and people who truly need help are not getting the assistance they deserve, while taxpayer dollars are wasted on bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Member 2: Combining nutrition and agriculture on the same bill is a momentous feat, and navigating the nuances within it means multiple people are prioritizing different pieces of the farm bill puzzle. Many people struggle with fresh and nutritious food options, live in food desserts, or have very little financial means to purchase groceries for their families. Farmers are on the opposite end, growing row crops, raising livestock, cultivating specialty crops, and so much more. There are economic challenges, and then there are devastating events that cripple a farm of any size or product. There may be opportunity in explaining how crop insurance and commodity support programs operate. (The CDC; ProFILE)
If you don't include the stamp program, it wont pass. If they work together. (AgVentures; Saginaw County)
It’s alright to have it in the farm bill, but need stiffer requirements to get it. Need to work together. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
We were not all that sure that nutrition should be included with the farm bill, since more and more percentage of the “farm” bill is going to non-farm entities, it might be time to separate the two so people are not confused as to how much is actually going to farmers and how much is going to feed the hungry. We think it would surprise a lot of people. (Cass River Crew; Saginaw County)
#2: Given the recent 23% drop in farm income, how can we best communicate to lawmakers the need for increased funding in crop insurance, conservation and other critical programs?
The farming economy is cyclical, with ups and downs from one year to the next. We need to make sure the funding for farm protection programs stays up to date with modern inflation and costs of production. This requires a diligent review of the entire farm bill, not the stop-gap extensions that have been commonly used. It would be good to outline to lawmakers what all costs go into growing a crop and how much those inputs have changed since the last farm bill and compare that to prices of commodities now vs 2018, when the last one was written. They will see the significant increase in inputs, but the very little increase (if any) to commodity prices. (The Cornstalks; ProFILE)
We need to communicate and show lawmakers our balance sheet. (Kirk’s Farm Bureau Group; Livingston County)
As the decrease in farm income discourages some farmers from adopting different practices, there is a concern that an increase in funding in additional programs may not be the appropriate direction to aid farmers during these times. Whether it is through decreased taxation or fortifying U.S. trade relationships without subsidizing, these efforts would take several years to be enacted, let alone see any noticeable effects.
Farm Bureau could help its members by educating producers on responsible business management strategies, provide diverse insurance options for various needs, and possibly establish a charitable organization that could assist struggling farms as an alternative to government assistance. (The CDC; ProFILE)
Protest. (AgVentures; Saginaw County)
Don’t increase the funding but increase by using exports and imports. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
#3: What other strategies could we use to ensure our voices are heard and other priorities are reflected in the bill?
I think we need to stay in touch with all our representatives and to make sure that we: (1) Have a unified message and (2) That we seek to educate, not just demand more funding. We need to demonstrate a concrete need for these programs, and if we can't then the programs probably shouldn't exist. Showing real-life examples of how the farm bill effects our lives is always really helpful. (The Cornstalks; ProFILE)
We need to write to congresspersons and discuss the situation in conversations with non-farmers (Kirk’s Farm Bureau Group; Livingston County)
For any policy-related concerns, maintaining communication with elected officials is key. Organizations like Farm Bureau concentrate the voices of their members to make a stronger impact on those in office. Hosting legislative officials on farms and providing a tour, with educational stations that explain various other sectors of agriculture in their district can provide opportunities for networking internally and externally for the legislative staff and the agricultural community. (The CDC; ProFILE)
Write letters. Educate. Farm Bureau could send out text or emails for us to fill in and send back. (AgVentures; Saginaw County)
Talk to your representatives. Get the state reps out and see what the needs are. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
Question #4: Why is the farm bill important to your farm?
One member mentioned the farm bill helps on their farm by providing funding for different conservation practices and by helping subsidize crop insurance and provide large loss protection. Another member mentioned the farm bill is important to them as they are just beginning their farming careers. They want to build up a strong foundation on their farm so they can support a family on it and hopefully someday pass it along to their children. We need government that support small/beginning farmers so we can continue to grow new operations as young farmers. (The Cornstalks; ProFILE)
We support the insurance crop subsidies. That has helped us out in several tough spots. Especially with the unpredictability of the weather. (Kirk’s Farm Bureau Group; Livingston County)
Member 1: The Farm Bill is not important to my farm. While I do believe there should be some common-sense regulations, promotion for conservation practices, and funding for severe disaster aid, I also believe spending should be reduced substantially (in all departments, not only the farm bill). The government should be required to balance the budget, reduce debt, and, in time, reduce taxes. (The CDC; ProFILE)
It provides a safety net along with crop insurance. (AgVentures; Saginaw County)
Trump helped the farmer when he was in last time, perhaps the next four years will be better again. (Palestine Community FB; Menominee County)
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