Evolution of Farm Policy Benefits Farmers, Taxpayers
Some stereotypes about U.S. farm policy just won’t die. For example, the belief that farmers get paid for not growing; or that benefits just go to big agribusinesses; or that farm spending is out of control. Such criticisms make splashy headlines but are no longer relevant thanks to the significant evolution of farm policy over […]
Keep Crop Insurance Affordable
Living through the drought of 2012 as an Illinois farmer gave me a whole new appreciation for risk management tools. There are things that farmers can do to try and deal with the curveballs served up by Mother Nature and with the ups and downs of market swings, but many things — like a massive […]
Former USDA Chief Economist Discusses 40-Year Career, Farm Policy in New Videos
(OVERLAND PARK, Kan.) — Renowned agricultural economist Dr. Keith Collins reflects on his distinguished career and the future of farm policy in a series of videos released today by National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS). Collins spent 32 years in federal service, where he served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) chief economist to four […]
Convo 55
With the cost of farming so high, most farmers must show proof of crop insurance to secure production loans from banks. This allows banks to make production loans to folks who might otherwise be judged too risky. One of those groups is young farmers. They are the key to the future of American agriculture. For […]
Crop Insurance a Key for Producers
My husband and I have been farming in Southeastern Colorado for more than 40 years, and during that time it’s safe to say there have been a lot of changes not only in farming practices but also in farm policy. The biggest policy change through the years has been the affordability and availability of crop […]
Convo 54
Farmers buy crop insurance to protect their crops from volatile weather and/or crop prices. It gives farmers and lenders peace of mind. The 2014 Farm Bill solidified crop insurance as the primary tool for farmers in dealing with production and price risk. Farmers urged Congress to strengthen crop insurance because it allows them to tailor […]
It’s up to us to explain the importance of crop insurance
It was 2010 and I was expecting to harvest my best crop. I had done everything right and the weather had been kind. Or so I thought. Then on a late October night, it hailed for six hours and what was anticipated to be my best crop year turned into nothing. But the worst of […]
Convo 53
“Let’s face it, if we don’t do that, the government will step in anyway in that kind of disaster and all the costs will be paid by taxpayers. Washington D.C. can help provide the safety net, but they shouldn’t dictate the terms.”
Crop insurance important for state’s ag industry
Pop quiz: Next to tourism, what Florida industry is the state’s largest employer? The answer isn’t health care, transportation, technology or even government. Agriculture is Florida’s second-biggest job supplier, according to the University of Florida. “Two million jobs can be traced to the state’s agriculture, natural resources and related food industries — and not just […]
Convo 52
We want crop insurance for all commodities in all states. It’s very clear every commodity wants to have crop insurance.
