House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Congressman G.T. Thompson (R-PA) on May 17 unveiled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024.
In advance of the full House Agriculture Committee marking up the legislation on Thursday, May 23, we thought we’d highlight what key agriculture groups – the long-standing credible associations representing the farm and ranch families that provide us each day with a bountiful, safe, and affordable food supply – are saying about the Chairman’s Farm Bill.
“On behalf of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farm families and the factory workers from across the country represented by the American Sugar Alliance, Neil Rockstad, a Minnesota sugarbeet grower, fourth-generation farmer and President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, and Patrick Frischhertz, a Louisiana sugarcane grower and eighth-generation farmer, issued the following joint statement on the draft text release of the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024:
As farmers, we’re proud to play a critical role in feeding America, yet high production costs, rising foreign subsidies, predatory trade practices, and often Mother Nature have conspired to make it very difficult for family farms like ours to survive. That’s why we are so grateful that the Farm Bill text released on Friday by Chairman GT Thompson provides a strong new safety net for our farm families. Chairman Thompson and his team worked tirelessly to craft the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, spending countless hours listening to the concerns of farmers and ranchers, and we commend him for his outstanding leadership.
We thank the House Agriculture Committee for the strengthened U.S. sugar policy contained in this bill which will help ensure that America’s 11,000 sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and our workers can continue producing an essential ingredient in our food supply, maintain resilient supply chains, and meet the needs of American families and all of our customers.
Our farm families need a bipartisan, bicameral, and highly effective Farm Bill. This legislation from Chairman Thompson is the first major step towards the enactment of the 2024 Farm Bill. We stand ready to work with Chairman Thompson and all congressional leaders to make this shared goal a reality this year. This effort, particularly the farm safety net features for sugarbeet and sugarcane farm families in Chairman Thompson’s bill, merits lawmakers’ strong support.”
National Milk Producers Federation
“We commend House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, R-Pa., for including language in the House Farm Bill to restore the previous “higher of” Class I mover formula.
The previous mover served dairy farmers well for decades, while the current mover has cost dairy farmers more than $1 billion in Class I skim milk revenue and continuously undermines orderly marketing of milk.
We also are grateful for the inclusion of language to require mandatory manufacturing plant cost studies to help inform future discussions on make allowances, another critical component of the Federal Milk Marketing Order system.
We are excited for the House’s upcoming Farm Bill markup and thank the members in both parties who have supported each of these priorities.”
“We applaud Chairman Thompson for crafting legislation impactful for soybean farmers across our 30 soybean-producing states,” said ASA President Josh Gackle, who grows soybeans in Kulm, ND. “Strengthening the farm bill is more important than ever, and we believe this legislation will significantly enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of the farm safety net, promote expansion and diversification of markets, and protect vital programs like crop insurance and the soy checkoff.”
ASA looks forward to working with the House Committee on Agriculture to ensure the passage of the2024 Farm Bill.”
“The National Cotton Council applauds House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson for producing a Farm Bill that significantly increases the support levels for cotton producers, who have been weighed down by the recent rise in on-farm production costs. This legislation also gives growers more affordable options for their risk management strategies, makes important improvements in the marketing loan program, and restores critical support for our domestic textile manufacturers.
The NCC urges this legislation to move forward in a bi-partisan manner with our industry committed to working with the leadership of the House and Senate to ensure final passage in 2024.”
“National Sorghum Producers commends the House Committee on Agriculture as they commence markup this week on the 2024 Farm Bill, particularly in the face of economic uncertainty and rising costs for U.S. sorghum producers. NSP is optimistic the proposal by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson will bolster much-needed protection and relief for America’s farmers and ranchers.
“NSP is very pleased with the commitment and efforts of Chairman Thompson, and the entire House Ag Committee in ensuring a robust farm bill for sorghum producers,” NSP Chairman Craig Meeker, a sorghum farmer from Wellington, Kansas, said. “We are eager to assist the committee in advancing a bill that will reinforce the safety net, strengthen crop insurance and conservation programs, which are key provisions for sorghum farmers.”
“USA Rice applauds Chairman G.T. Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee and supports passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. Numerous provisions in the bill could prove very beneficial to the U.S. rice industry, and we particularly appreciate the meaningful improvements to the farm safety net through the increased Price Loss Coverage Program rice reference price. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress in order to ultimately pass and enact a timely, bipartisan, bicameral, and highly effective farm bill before the current legislation expires on September 30, and certainly before the end of this year. This legislation is needed to provide long-term certainty for producers and all segments of the U.S. rice industry.”
Crop Insurance Professionals Association
“On behalf of crop insurance agents from across the country, the Crop Insurance Professionals Association (CIPA) Chairman, William Cole of Batesville, Mississippi; Vice Chairman, Jason Williamson of Payne, Ohio; Treasurer Marva Ulleland of Spokane, Washington; Deputy Treasurer Matt Allen of Elbow Lake, Minnesota; and Secretary Travis Keister of Blue Earth, Minnesota made the following remarks concerning the House Agriculture Committee’s recently unveiled Farm Bill:
We would like to thank Chairman Thompson and the Committee for their hard work and effort in putting forward the first complete Farm Bill proposal – which is always a very heavy lift but particularly in the current environment.
Our litmus test for an effective Farm Bill has always been three-fold:
Does it protect and promote the cornerstone of the farm safety net – Federal Crop Insurance – for our farm and ranch family customers? At CIPA, our aim is to make crop insurance as effective for every farmer, every crop, and every region of the country as effective as it is where it works optimally for our producers. A part of that is in legislation and a part of that is implementation. Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill advances the ball in helping to ensure that our farm and ranch families have the risk management tools they need to better weather the high risks they face in producing our food, feed, fiber, and fuel.
Does it provide an effective safety net under the commodity title to cover the kinds of risk insurance is not meant to cover? Our farm and ranch families face a gauntlet of challenges each and every day, some caused by foreign governments, others caused by our government, and still others caused by other conditions totally beyond their control. As the first big update since the 2014 Farm Bill, which was based on 2012 economic conditions on the farm, and the most meaningful increase in the farm safety net in 22 years, the Chairman’s proposed Farm Bill keeps faith with the farm and ranch families that will continue to be key in feeding our nation and much of the world as we draw closer to 2050 when 10 billion people will inhabit the globe. Absent our nation’s producers’ success, arable land the size of India will have to be put to the plow to feed everyone.
Does it ensure that one of the key pillars of Federal Crop Insurance stays strong? From 1938 to 1980, Federal Crop Insurance was delivered by the Feds and barely limped along and was almost disbanded. In 1980, delivery was turned over to the private sector and that was a key ingredient to Federal Crop Insurance becoming the cornerstone of the farm safety net. Chairman Thompson’s bill retains and strengthens that pillar by fixing a flaw in the system that harms specialty crops, reinstituting annual inflation adjustments not in effect now for nearly a decade, and also ensuring that areas with high losses due to natural disasters have the delivery resources necessary to timely and accurately adjust claims and make indemnities so farm and ranch families can quickly recover from their losses.
We greatly appreciate Chairman Thompson’s and the Committee’s leadership and we hope that the Committee and the full House move forward with the legislation so it may be conferenced with whatever the Senate passes and enacted into law.”
Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau
“We are especially pleased to see investments made to improve the farmer experience. The improvements made to the affordability of crop insurance, particularly for beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers, will increase affordability for the future generation of farmers and ranchers, while provisions such as the inflation adjustment for administrative and operating expenses will ultimately help the private sector continue to deliver gold-star service to farmers.
These improvements get at the heart of our mission — to deliver more policies to more farmers in more regions of the country in an efficient and sustainable manner.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
“America’s cattle producers don’t ask for much from the federal government, but we do need a few essential programs that protect our industry from foreign animal diseases, reward voluntary conservation, and keep farms and ranches in business after a natural disaster,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill supports these critical needs for the cattle industry, and I am very grateful that the Chairman listened to groups like NCBA when writing this bill. We strongly support this legislation and urge Congress to pass this bill.”
Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill is the result of months of stakeholder input and dialogue with farmers and ranchers. NCBA members have been involved in these conversations and had the opportunity to weigh in on Farm Bill priorities.”
National Pork Producers Council
“The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) applauds the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s unveiling of its 2024 Farm Bill.
“America’s pork producers appreciate Chairman G.T. Thompson’s willingness to listen, put pen to paper, and address the most pressing issues facing the agriculture industry across the country – a prime example of how our government should work,” said NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn. “The inclusion of pork producers’ top priorities in the 2024 House Farm Bill is a testament to our industry’s ability to unite and speak up about our common challenges.”
NPPC urges the House Agriculture Committee to swiftly consider and pass this Farm Bill, so pork producers have the certainty to continue their operations to the next generation.”
National Association of Wheat Growers
“The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is pleased that the House of Representatives is taking the first step in the farm bill reauthorization process by introducing and scheduling a markup of the Farm, Food, and Natural Security Act of 2024. NAWG is committed to working with committee members and their staff to ensure that the bill addresses the priorities of wheat farmers and can move forward in a bipartisan fashion to allow for its ultimate passage in both chambers.”
“The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 sends a clear message that Food for Peace should be delivering as much American grown food to as many hungry people as possible. This is a mission American wheat farmers are proud to support, and we look forward to seeing these important reforms carried through the farm bill process.”
North American Millers’ Association
“The food aid reforms included in the House farm bill ensure that more food will go directly into the bellies of hungry people around the world. In a time of such unprecedented famine emergency, we cannot imagine a higher priority than making sure we are feeding as many people as possible.”
Groups Applaud Food Aid Provisions
Regarding the legislation’s food aid provisions, the North American Millers’ Association, U.S. Wheat Associates, National Sorghum Producers, National Association of Wheat Growers, Midwest Dry Bean Coalition, USA Rice, and the Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO applauded the House Agriculture Committee for including life-saving reforms to U.S. international food aid programs in the recently released Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024.
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
“NASDA applauds Chairman Thompson for beginning the process of creating the next farm bill. With the release of the legislative text, NASDA remains committed to advocating for a bipartisan farm bill that will secure a commitment to American agriculture and the critical food and nutritional assistance programs for those who need it most. Signing a farm bill into law is vital to the food and agriculture sector which benefits our economy, accounting for roughly one-fifth of U.S. economic activity and supporting nearly 23 million jobs. We welcome the opportunity to work with the House Agriculture Committee as they begin debating the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024.”
Southwest Council of Agribusiness
“On behalf of the farm, ranch, agricultural lender, and main street businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado that comprise the Southwest Council of Agribusiness (SWCA), SWCA President Jim Sugarek, a sixth-generation family farmer from Beeville, Texas, issued the following statement regarding the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024:
The SWCA is very grateful to House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson for his proposal that represents the most meaningful improvements to the Farm Bill safety net for farm and ranch families across the country in more than 20 years.
During the pandemic, farm and ranch families demonstrated just how vitally important America’s food and agriculture system is to our national security, a fact appropriately reflected in the title of Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill legislation.
The last three Farm Bills have either flat-lined or cut the safety net that is meant to help America’s farm and ranch families compete on a global playing field that is awash in high and rising foreign subsidies, tariffs, and non-tariff trade barriers and other forms of predatory trade practices as well as natural disasters that Mother Nature sends our way.
In fact, the current farm safety net is actually based on woefully outdated costs of production figures from 12 years ago despite all that has occurred since that time, including runaway inflation, high interest rates, lost export market access that has resulted in a $30 billion U.S. agriculture trade deficit in this year alone, and regulations that fan the flames of already high production costs. Each of these issues must be addressed for the sake of our farm and ranch families and U.S. food security, but an effective Farm Bill safety net is always necessary to help mitigate these and other kinds of harmful conditions that are well beyond our producers’ control.
We specifically commend Chairman Thompson and the Committee for their work on strengthening the Commodity Title, Federal Crop Insurance, the Trade Title, the Conservation Title, as well as provisions that tackle head on the myriad of other challenges our farm and ranch families face, including bolstering animal disease preparedness and response measures to quickly and effectively address H5N1.
We are hopeful that the Committee and the full House will move forward with the legislation in order to bring us a major step closer to ultimately enacting a strong new Farm Bill that in the end analysis will earn broad bipartisan support to become law.”
Cotton Warehouse Association of America
“The Cotton Warehouse Association of America thanks Chairman Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee for a strong Farm Bill proposal.
On behalf of U.S. cotton warehouses from California to the Carolinas, the Cotton Warehouse Association of America (CWAA) Chairman Brett Underwood of Lubbock, Texas, issued the following statement regarding the Farm Bill proposed by House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-PA):
U.S. agriculture has been through a lot in recent years, including Chinese retaliatory tariffs, the pandemic, high inflation and interest rates, onerous regulations, stalled trade agreements, predatory trade practices of foreign countries, and natural disasters, including the chronic drought that’s gripped much of the southwest for many years now which resulted this year in one of the most costly and damaging wildfires in U.S. history.
These events hit our nation’s farm and ranch families hardest but they also adversely impact the critical infrastructure that our producers depend upon, including cotton warehouses. And once this infrastructure is lost, it’s very difficult to bring back so farm policies that help keep our producers in business also help to maintain industry and good paying jobs in town.
The CWAA greatly appreciates the hard work of Chairman Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee in working to strengthen the safety net for our nation’s farm and ranch families, including meaningful improvements for our cotton producers, textile mills, warehouses, and all of the segments of the cotton industry.
We hope that the Committee and the full House will move this legislation forward so it may be conferenced with a Senate Farm Bill and sent to the President for signature yet this year. U.S. agriculture could certainly use that kind of certainty amidst so much uncertainty in recent years.”
Western Peanut Growers Association
“Western Peanut Growers Association (WPGA) President Otis Johnson of Seminole, Texas issued the following statement regarding the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill proposal crafted by Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-PA):
In recent years, there has been very little certainty for farmers, whether in regard to policy, markets, or weather, even as they take on an ever-rising level of risk to plant, grow, and harvest a crop. We could really use the certainty of a strong, new Farm Bill this year.
Our farm families are very impressed with how Chairman Thompson has threaded an extremely difficult needle, making vital new investments in the farm safety net while safeguarding the other Farm Bill programs despite having to do so with only existing available dollars.
Chairman Thompson and the Committee deserve a lot of credit for being first out of the Committee with a specific plan for a 5-year Farm Bill. We’re grateful that our nation’s peanut producers will benefit from a stronger safety net under the House legislation, alongside producers of other crops as well as livestock.
We’re pleased to add our strong support to move the House Farm Bill forward. This will further encourage the Senate to act on a 5-yearbill and foster a conference that will yield us a Farm Bill that Congress can overwhelmingly pass and the President can sign into law.”
“Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) commends Chairman G.T. Thompson and his superb team at the House Agriculture Committee for producing a farm bill that meets the needs of not only farm and ranch families, but also consumers and other important stakeholders. Chairman Thompson visited many agricultural operations across Texas and held a listening session in Waco to gain knowledge of the severe challenges our farmers and ranchers are facing.
It is evident the chairman and his staff have listened to our concerns, in addition to many others, and worked tirelessly to produce a farm bill proposal to directly address these challenges. The provisions included in this proposal will also strengthen national food security, which is critical to our country’s future. TFB looks forward to the committee mark-up and encourages House Ag Committee members to support this bill and pass it out of committee. Texas farmers, ranchers desperately need a new farm bill to help them continue feeding and clothing consumers worldwide.”
“Farmers, ranchers, waterfowl, and the general public rely upon strong congressional support for the farm bill conservation title’s voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, and [the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024] delivers. We appreciate Chairman Thompson and the committee for their work on this bill and look forward to further bipartisan collaboration between the House and Senate to pass a farm bill that benefits all Americans, wildlife, and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers who feed a hungry world.”
Need a Farm Bill refresher? Find a high-level, title-by-title history and overview of this crucial piece of legislation that impacts every American, from the field to the dinner plate here. Plus, learn about agricultural policy straight from America’s heartland on the Groundwork podcast.