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Farm Bureau wants safety net strengthened in next farm bill

The chief economist for American Farm Bureau wants Congress to strengthen the safety net in the next farm bill.

John Newton says lawmakers have until 2023 to figure out how to better support America’s farmers and ranchers.

“When we look at the situations, the ad hoc disasters that we faced in recent years, whether it’s the number of hurricanes that have hit the Gulf, the droughts, the derecho. When you think about the trade war, when you think about COVID-19, it has become immediately clear that the current safety net in the Farm Bill is not adequate enough.”

He tells Brownfield additional resources are needed to meet the challenges farmers face today.

“To make the Title One Program stronger, make the dairy safety net stronger, potentially boost our conservation programs. Especially if those conservation programs are going to be a component of our climate agenda.”