Agriculture leaders say delay could worsen already difficult year.
The latest extension of the federal farm bill has expired. Without a new version of the bill, farmers across Kentucky would be left without what agricultural leaders describe as crucial federal support.
Commissioner points to farm risks
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell said the state’s farmers are already struggling.
“An average of a farm a day is what we lose in the state of Kentucky,” Shell said.
Shell said farming carries high risk, both physically and financially.
“Because farming is such a high-risk industry, not just through life and limb with farm safety, but high risk as far as financially a high-risk industry,” Shell said. “And so having these opportunities through the federal government to be able to have insurance and things that we need is extremely important. And without them being aligned with where we’re farming today, it’s hurting our farmers every single day.”
What the farm bill covers
The federal farm bill covers grants, insurance, food assistance programs, and more. The latest extension of the 2018 farm bill expired Sept. 30. Most funding continues through December, but without updated legislation, some industry leaders say old policies no longer support current agriculture business needs.
Jim Akers, chief operating officer of Bluegrass Stockyards, said insurance programs are especially important.
“Crop insurance, drought insurance, you know, there’s a forage insurance program. It’s all basically drought-driven, weather-driven,” Akers said. “You know, those things are very important, especially as volatile as our weather’s been here the last few years. That’s the one piece of the Farm Bill that does directly and potentially dramatically affect our farmers.”
Senate committee advances new bill
The Senate Agricultural Committee passed a new version of the farm bill last month by a vote of 12 to 11. Democrats on the committee have pushed back against a provision that would require states to cover part of the funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell voted for the new farm bill. In a statement to WKYT, McConnell wrote: “America’s farmers are the cornerstone of our nation and the backbone of Kentucky’s economy.” He continued, “My hope is the bill receives robust bipartisan support on the Senate floor and demonstrates our commitment to our Nation’s farmers and rural communities.”
As Congress continues to negotiate, Shell said action is needed quickly.
“If we’re going to grow in the industry to meet the world demand and to meet the American demand of what our food is, whether it be the abundance or the safety of it, we need these federal programs put in place,” Shell said.
Source - https://www.wkyt.com
