As Third District farmers round out the fall harvest season, it is an appropriate time to note how hard agriculture producers work to feed and fuel the world and how this drives our state’s economy.
In recent years, farmers and ranchers have battled historically high inflation and input costs, wildfires, unpredictable weather, and disastrous storms. Their hours are as long as daylight allows and sometimes longer.The crops and livestock they care for don’t offer vacation time, respect business hours, or award overtime pay. While many today assume the food they eat simply appears in the grocery store, agriculture producers are the reason we can readily access the nutrition we need.Their tireless efforts keep our most essential supply chains running.They’re the unsung heroes of our nation’s economy, tackling an unending task of feeding hungry consumers around the world.
I continue to support the vital work producers do each day by advocating for a robust Farm Bill renewal which recognizes the importance of certainty to producers as they prepare for 2025.While the Farm Bill expired at the end of last month, current programs will be funded through the end of this year.While one option would be another short-term extension, I believe achieving a comprehensive renewal is vital for the agriculture community. I am encouraged by recent progress in negotiations, as many of my colleagues understand empowering our producers should not be a partisan issue. Finding a path to a full renewal soon is even more urgent as the Department of Agriculture is projecting an agricultural trade deficit of $42.5 billion for this fiscal year—a record high.
