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Farmers say risk management tops priority lists

Members of the Senate Ag Committee say they’ll need to stretch every dollar allocated in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Regardless of the crops they grow, the Michigan farmers who testified at a Farm Bill hearing in Frankenmuth, Michigan on Saturday said a strong safety net program was at the top of their priority list.

Janna Fritz raises corn, soybeans, and dry edible beans in Eastern Michigan.  “We need continuation of programs that provide that safety net – crop insurance and commodity safety net,” she says.  “We need to make sure our producers remain viable even if they battle rough circumstances for a production year.”

AUDIO: Janna Fritz, Bad Axe, MI

Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow says when writing the 2018 Farm Bill – Ag Committees will be tasked to do more with less available funding.  “It’s still going to be tough,” she says.  “But certainly as a risk management tool crop insurance is still going to be at the top of the list.”

AUDIO: Senators Debbie Stabenow and Pat Roberts on Crop Insurance

Adam Ingreo farms in Central Michigan.  He says the 2014 Farm Bill helped establish farmer veteran programs – and even though budgets are tight – he’d like to see those expanded.  “I think it’s important for Congress to realize that there are some nuance populations that we’re trying to reach and recruit into the ag industry,” he says.  “They may have needs that need addressed in a little different way.”

AUDIO: Adam Ingreo, Lansing, MI

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