Now that the full text of the much-awaited “Farm Bill 2.0” has been introduced as of last Friday, one ag leader tells Hoosier Ag Today he’s strongly encouraging farmers to get involved to make sure it gets across the finish line.
“The first thing you got to say is, ‘Hooray, and hooray, and hooray!’ says Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). “Although this is not the final step by any stretch, it is an important first step.”
“Most people probably need to be reminded that the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill covered about 80 percent of the funding of what we’ve known in previous Farm Bills, but about 20 percent of the policy. So, they got big stuff done for the farmers, but now, we’ve got to go back and do the final 20 percent of the funding, which is very important to some producers, and 80 percent of the policy, and we cannot forget that,” says McKinney.
He points out two pieces of Farm Bill 2.0 that he says are very important to U.S. farmers.
“In commodities—it strengthens the commodity programs that were passed in the reconciliation, and this adds a standing block grant authority for appropriated disaster funds. Indiana and Michigan tends not to have as much of the disaster as the [east and west] coasts, but just once is all it takes, and this becomes very, very important.
“There’s also a Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, which is always important for areas that store a lot of soy, corn, and some cases, wheat and other crops,” he says.
But, what will it take for Farm Bill 2.0 to pass both the House and Senate—and get signed into law by President Trump before Sept. 30th?
“The margin is so very, very tight in the House. Then, of course, in the Senate—on this one, it will not just be the majority to get it to pass. The Farm Bill will require approval from 60 U.S. Senators,” he says.
That’s why McKinney is pushing farmers and ag leaders—now more than ever—to contact their lawmakers on Capitol Hill and tell them to get Farm Bill 2.0 passed before the end of this fiscal year.
“If they don’t, shame on them. I’m saying that out of love and respect, but I know farmers. They say, ‘Let your actions speak for you, not your words.’ However, this is the time they better be voicing up, because if it’s a tepid response, those in Congress who are opposed can say, ‘Well, I just didn’t hear from my farmers,’” says McKinney.
Republicans on the House Ag Committee say they plan to mark up the bill this Monday, February 23.
CLICK HERE to read the full text and overviews of Farm Bill 2.0.
CLICK BELOW to hear Hoosier Ag Today’s full conversation with Ted McKinney, NASDA CEO, as he dives deeper into Farm Bill 2.0:
