By Scout Nelson
A corn grower-leader from Minnesota testified before the House Agriculture Committee, emphasizing the urgent need for a reauthorized and strengthened farm bill to support farmers across the country. Minnesota Corn Growers President Dana Allen-Tully highlighted the financial challenges farmers face, stressing the importance of timely and effective policies.
“Unless conditions change, I believe we are heading into a perfect storm, a storm I don’t think will be fully appreciated until early next year when farmers try to get loans and are unable to do so because they can’t demonstrate the ability to cash flow,” said Allen-Tully. She underscored the critical need for policies that reflect the realities of modern farming.
Allen-Tully also pointed out the high stakes in farming today. “We’re putting everything we have on the line every year for very thin and oftentimes negative margins,” she said. “While farmers feed and fuel the economy, they need a strong farm bill that will assist them when the chips are down.”
She called on Congress to ensure that the new farm bill provides the necessary support for farmers to navigate these challenging times and continue their essential work.
The testimony highlighted the interconnectedness of farming and the broader economy, emphasizing how crucial it is to have robust agricultural policies in place.
Allen-Tully’s testimony comes at a critical time as farmers across the nation face increasing financial pressures. Her call for a stronger farm bill aims to ensure that farmers have the resources and support they need to sustain their operations and contribute to the economy.
The House Agriculture Committee is expected to consider these testimonies as they work on reauthorizing and strengthening the farm bill to better support the agricultural sector.
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy