As the United States prepares for a new administration, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has communicated its priorities to President-elect Trump. Representing family farmers and ranchers nationwide, NFU is urging attention to policies vital for rural America's well-being and the sustainability of the agricultural system.
"Family farmers and ranchers face challenges that demand urgent attention and continued support. Our next president has an opportunity to lead with policies that secure fair markets, strengthen the farm safety net and ensure a sustainable future for American agriculture," said NFU President Rob Larew. "We want to work with the new administration to build on recent progress and help shape a future where family farms and their communities can thrive."
The letter from NFU outlines several key priorities:
Strengthening the Farm Safety Net: With 2025 expected to be difficult for family farmers, NFU emphasizes robust support to manage volatility in crop prices and input costs. Larew stated, "The safety net established in the 2018 Farm Bill will not be sufficient to help farmers withstand rapidly declining crop prices, high interest rates, and natural disasters."
Ensuring Competitive Markets: The organization calls for enforcing antitrust laws and increasing transparency to address economic challenges due to market concentration in agriculture. "For too long, unchecked mergers in the agriculture industry and throughout our nation’s economy have come at the expense of family farmers. We need a food system that is competitive and resilient, not one that is brittle and dominated by only a few multinational corporations," Larew explained.
Trade: NFU advises caution in trade policy negotiations. Drastic actions could harm both short-term and long-term financial stability for family farmers. "Our members suffered significant losses due to the earlier trade dispute with China, and we lost valuable market share, particularly for soybeans, to competitors like Brazil," added Larew.
The full letter detailing these priorities can be accessed online.
