Mary Alice Reporting – Ohio Farm Bureau members are in Washington D.C. to host conversations with law makers.
The U.S. Farm Bill is up for renewal, since its 2018 passage, and addresses agricultural and food policy through a variety of programing, such as nutrition assistance, crop insurance, commodity support, and conservation.
OFB Vice President of Public Policy Jack Irvin says it’s important for the organization to meet with policy makers to educate and connect.
“Farmers, they have to have that support and that backdrop of those constituents coming in, meeting with their legislators, telling them about the real world examples on their farm, why it matters. What does it mean for their communities? Without that partnership, we’re just not going to be successful.”
The current bill is viable through 2023, but American Farm Bureau’s Vice President of Public Policy Sam Kieffer says getting it done ahead of the September 30th deadline is critical, especially before next year’s high stakes political election.
“2024 is a presidential election year. So, getting the Farm Bill done this year is the most important thing. Beyond that, crop insurance is a viable tool, but there are still aspects of our industry where it doesn’t work well enough. Conservation program is also vital.”
More updates regarding the bill can be found at www.OhioFarmBureau.org.
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