The first permanent farm bill was passed in 1938 when farming was much different than it is today. But the purpose of the bill still basically remains the same; to establish and oversee programs that maintain an abundant food supply and help farm families be successful.
I know without a doubt, it is the most important piece of legislation connected to our farmers, ranchers and rural America. But this bill doesn’t just affect farmers; it impacts all of us from a food, fiber and fuel perspective. We at KFB as well as our American Farm Bureau partners are initiating farm bill discussions across the state and throughout the country to bring a unified message to state and national lawmakers of what is needed in this next version of the farm bill.
There are also many other ag-related groups which are directly affected by this all-important legislation, all of which have specific needs and ideas about what should be included.
I have been fortunate enough over the years to have served Farm Bureau at all levels including as a current member of American Farm Bureau Federation’s executive committee. I’ve seen the successes of small farm family operations, the importance of larger farms and ag-related businesses along with the hardships and concerns all of the agriculture industry faces.
As a farmer myself, I deal with these challenges every day but I also celebrate in the rewards of knowing we are doing our part to help feed the world. That is no small task and the farm bill is somewhat of a handbook when it comes to the programs that guide our industry through each five-year period the bills cover.
I am honored for the opportunity along with several other agriculture leaders from across the country to be testifying in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee representing the American Farm Bureau to discuss farm-related issues and to answer any questions the group may have as they prepare for their discussions of the farm bill.
It is critical to keep our lawmakers informed about issues on the farm because what we do affects every citizen in this country and our neighbors from around the world. In order for us to feed the world, we have to have the programs in place that will allow us to stay on the farm and in business. I can’t overstate the importance of this bill, the provisions contained within and the need to help our lawmakers and citizens understand its importance.
Mark Haney
The funding for several of the programs contained in this legislation has a target on it in a budgetary time when so many programs are facing financial cuts. When compared to the total federal budget, the farm bill is a very small portion of the overall expenditures. But the impact the ag industry has economically cannot be overstated. The funding that goes into the farm bill is truly an investment made is maintaining the most plentiful and cost efficient food supply in the world.
Additionally, the agriculture industry and rural communities are the backbone of the American economy and certainly Kentucky’s economic development endeavors.
According to the last ag-related economic importance report issued by the University of Kentucky, the total agricultural economic impact was greater than $45 billion employing more than a quarter of a million people.
These numbers are significant when discussing the economic well-being of the state. Agriculture issues are not just something for farm families to be concerned with; every citizen should take an interest in their local farms and this all important farm bill re-authorization.
Our advocacy efforts are more critical now than ever. While times have certainly changed since 1938, the importance of farming has not. In fact, today there are fewer producers than at any other time in history who are being asked to feed more people than ever before. The farm bill will help us do that.
We can all be advocates and I encourage everyone to contact their ag leaders, their local officials and their state and Congressional leaders to let them know agriculture is something you care about.
Mark Haney is President of
Kentucky Farm Bureau
and an executive committee member of the American Farm Bureau. He is testifying today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture.
