The U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit recently held a hearing titled “Producer Perspectives on the 2023 Farm Bill.” The Farm Bill is an omnibus bill that is renewed every 5-7 years, so the proposed Farm Bill for 2023 will last at least through 2028.
The bill package includes provisions related to farmers, the environment, food security and access. More than 75% of all Farm Bill funding goes toward the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutritional programs, according to the nonprofit Regenerate America.
The session opened with comments from Chairman Glenn Thompson, speaking about the agriculture committee working overtime to hear the input of stakeholders.
"Not just through hearings in Washington, D.C., but at field listening sessions across the country," Thompson said. "So, several of us are just returning from one of these listening sessions in Gainesville, Florida. And others who attended events in New York, Texas, California and my home state of Pennsylvania."
Dr. Mark Hyman, chairman of the Food Fix Campaign, wrote in an opinion piece for The Hill that federal food policy "rewards" unhealthy practices related to farming and food. As a result, fewer than 7% of Americans are "metabolically healthy," while 60% of U.S. adults have a chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity. He called on lawmakers to use the Farm Bill to support healthier, more sustainable policies.
Tom Hague, who was called to testify, is a fourth-generation family farmer from South Central Minnesota, where he and his son grow 1,700 acres of corn and soybeans.
"I'm currently the National Corn Growers Association president," Hague said. "Farmers across the country are busy today. They are planting seeds and preparing for a strong crop and a future harvest. The committee's continued outreach is laying the critical groundwork for a strong bipartisan farm bill. Corn growers are as optimistic about this process as we are for this year's harvest. This morning I will focus my testimony on top Farm Bill recommendations for crop insurance and commodity prices. The areas of emphasis for corn growers are summarized in our key principles: Protecting the federal crop insurance, strengthening the producer's safety net, bolstering international market developments and supporting voluntary conservation programs. Our Farm Bill recommendations seek to make USDA programs more effective and responsive through strategic investments and policy."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, agriculture and related industries accounted for 10.5% of all U.S. employment and contributed approximately $1.264 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2021. The average U.S. household spends 12% of its budget on food.
