Long-Term Farm Bill Needed
We all rely on agriculture at least three times a day. From the milk you enjoy in the morning to the dinner you eat at night, agriculture provides our nourishment each and every day. No matter where you live, your grocery store is filled with produce, fruit, meat and dairy products.
Congress has extended the current Farm Bill until September 30th. A lot of folks don't know that the Farm Bill also includes food stamps and other spending that has nothing to do with production agriculture. In fact, less than a dime of every dollar in the bill actually goes toward farm programs.
We have the safest, most abundant food supply in the world. That is due in large part to the hard work, ingenuity and determination of our farmers and producers. Agriculture is the only industry that buys its supplies at retail value and sells its products at wholesale. In other words, it's a price-taker on both ends.
It's important that we pass a long-term Farm Bill so that producers and growers can plan. I am one of only a few farmers left in Congress. I have to explain to many of my colleagues why this bill is important to their constituents. It's important because our food policy affects everyone.
Even with all of the changes to our economy, agriculture is still Missouri's top industry. Missouri also has the second most farms of any state in the union. If the farm bill doesn't work here, then it doesn't work.
Sincerely,
