By Scout Nelson
Senator John Hoeven recently spoke at the North Dakota Farmers Union annual meeting, where he highlighted his priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill. As a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven is playing a crucial role in shaping national agriculture policy.
His focus includes:
- Strengthening crop insurance to provide a robust risk management tool for producers.
- Enhancing coverage affordability to help producers face natural disasters without excessive reliance on ad-hoc assistance.
- Modernizing Farm Service Agency loan limits for better credit access.
- Revamping the counter-cyclical safety net, particularly the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs.
- Improving livestock disaster programs like the Livestock Indemnity, Forage, and Emergency Assistance Programs.
- Proposing legislation for a more cohesive approach between different livestock programs and making these enhancements permanent.
- Ensuring farm programs remain voluntary and farmer-friendly, reducing regulatory burdens.
Hoeven stressed the importance of including these improvements in the Farm Bill to ensure the vitality and sustainability of the nation's agriculture sector. He acknowledged the crucial feedback from local groups like the Farmers Union in these efforts.
Senator Hoeven has been actively engaging with various stakeholders, including Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman, FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux, RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger, and USFS Deputy Chief Chris French.
These interactions underscore his commitment to ensuring the Farm Bill reflects the needs and perspectives of North Dakota's agricultural community.
Categories: North Dakota, Government & Policy