ICYMI: Boozman Op-Ed in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette: "What They Need"

Ranking Member Boozman wrote an opinion piece published in today's edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that outlines how the Senate Republicans efforts to put more farm in the farm bill will help farmers in Arkansas and across the country.

Key takeaways

• The input of farmers and ranchers must be the foundation for laws that impact their operations, particularly when Congress renews our five-year contract with them known as the Farm Bill. It's the ideas of those on the front lines in the state and around the country that serve as the backbone for the framework Senate Republicans recently announced.
• Net farm income is expected to decline in Arkansas this year, down nearly 30 percent from two years ago, deterring some operations from even trying to continue. We must reverse this trend by providing the next generation of producers with increased certainty and predictability so farm families can continue to feed and clothe the world.
• Bolstering the farm safety net by increasing reference prices, and through updates to risk-management tools, including first-time access for poultry farmers, relief for catfish growers suffering losses due to predation, and enhanced crop insurance coverage for all farmers, are meaningful improvements that reflect the diverse challenges facing agriculture producers.
• Research discoveries at our state's colleges and universities are critical to innovation on the farm. Our proposal doubles agricultural research funding and guarantees continuation of the 1890 Scholars Program that would directly impact research institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
• Finally, our framework creates rural communities that the next generation choose to call home. In the last census, more than half of our 75 counties lost population. This Farm Bill proposal grows job opportunities and invests in economic development, broadband expansion, water infrastructure projects, and rural child care and health care to retain and attract families who call these areas home.

Opinion: Guest Writer

JOHN BOOZMAN: What They Need
June 27, 2024 

As the lead Republican on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I'm proud to be a voice for Arkansas agricultural producers in Congress, crafting policies to support their needs and strengthen the future of the industry.

The input of farmers and ranchers must be the foundation for laws that impact their operations, particularly when Congress renews our five-year contract with them known as the Farm Bill. It's the ideas of those on the front lines in the state and around the country that serve as the backbone for the framework Senate Republicans recently announced.

We brought Arkansas agriculture stakeholders together at a field hearing in Jonesboro two years ago to explore improvements farmers and ranchers need to see in the next Farm Bill. Since that day, we have had many visits with producers in all corners of America to listen, learn and incorporate their feedback.

No matter the state, the request has been the same: Put more farm in the Farm Bill. We answer that call in the GOP plan.

It quickly became evident that farm country is facing evolving challenges that threaten its economic viability, which the right updates and support can alleviate.

Net farm income is expected to decline in Arkansas this year, down nearly 30 percent from two years ago, deterring some operations from even trying to continue. We must reverse this trend by providing the next generation of producers with increased certainty and predictability so farm families can continue to feed and clothe the world.

A subcommittee hearing earlier this month on expanding pathways to farming emphasized how passing a new Farm Bill will make a difference in the long-term outlook for many young Americans pursuing a career in agriculture and ensure Arkansas families who have been farming for generations can continue this legacy.

As the nation's top rice producer and a leader in broilers, cotton, soybeans and catfish farming, a Farm Bill that works for these industries in addition to the variety of other crops and livestock grown and raised in Arkansas is critical.

Bolstering the farm safety net by increasing reference prices, and through updates to risk-management tools, including first-time access for poultry farmers, relief for catfish growers suffering losses due to predation, and enhanced crop insurance coverage for all farmers, are meaningful improvements that reflect the diverse challenges facing agriculture producers.

Our blueprint, on top of tending to the priorities of farmers, enhances agriculture research and innovation, maintains critical nutrition benefits, expands popular conservation programs and strengthens rural communities.

Research discoveries at our state's colleges and universities are critical to innovation on the farm. Our proposal doubles agricultural research funding and guarantees continuation of the 1890 Scholars Program that would directly impact research institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Finally, our framework creates rural communities that the next generation choose to call home. In the last census, more than half of our 75 counties lost population. This Farm Bill proposal grows job opportunities and invests in economic development, broadband expansion, water infrastructure projects, and rural child care and health care to retain and attract families who call these areas home.

The House Agriculture Committee passed a bipartisan Farm Bill just before Memorial Day. I'm committed to building on this momentum in the Senate. Our framework offers a path to a bipartisan Farm Bill that delivers real solutions that our farmers, ranchers and agriculture communities desperately need.

John Boozman is the senior U.S. senator for the state of Arkansas.