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Farmer prioritizes safety net, conservation programs at farm bill session

A dairy and crop farmer told a House Ag Committee farm bill listening session that the rising cost of doing business and inflationary pressures are chipping away at farmer’s margins.

Land O Lakes board member Jared Fernandes and his brothers have a Jersey and Holstein dairy herd, plus they raise wheat, corn, alfalfa, oats, and pistachios near Tipton, California.  Fernandes urged the committee to protect farmers from price uncertainty, saying the farm safety net programs including federal crop insurance are the key to creating a predictable operating environment. “We need Congress to maintain strong support for these programs and fend off any cuts. We urge you to consider updating these programs to make them more effective, increasing reference prices, expanding producer’s flexibilities, and keeping crop insurance affordable to farmers.”

Fernandes also asked the House Ag Committee to make sure the safety net programs adequately help farmers from weather challenges and water shortages.

He also asked for a farm bill that supports and streamlines conservation programs to make them easier to use. “And, we encourage you to consider allowing the private sector, including farmer cooperatives and ag retailers to extend the conservation delivery system.”

Fernandes says the next farm bill must also invest in rural health care facilities, high-speed internet, fire departments, and clean drinking water.  He’s also urging Congress to increase funding for agricultural research, calling it a food security issue.

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