Central ND News

WASHINGTON – At a recent hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator John Hoeven emphasized the importance of prioritizing key risk management programs for farmers and ranchers in the upcoming farm bill. Hoeven directed his remarks to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, stressing the significance of maintaining the agricultural focus in the legislation.

“Crop insurance and the counter-cyclical safety net are fundamental to our system of agriculture, which still largely consists of small, family-based businesses. That’s something we don’t see in other industries, and we shouldn’t take it for granted,” said Hoeven during the hearing.

Hoeven underscored the crucial role of American farmers and ranchers in providing high-quality, affordable food to consumers while contributing to the nation's economy. He emphasized the need to ensure that the farm bill adequately supports producers to maintain the country's robust food supply chain.

"Americans benefit from the highest-quality, lowest-cost food supply in the world, and families in the U.S. spend less of their budget on food than other developed nations. That’s a result of what our farmers and ranchers do every day, and so when we talk about this farm bill, we need to get it right for our producers," Hoeven added.

In addition to advocating for crop insurance and a strong safety net, Senator Hoeven highlighted the necessity of enhancing the farm bill to address the evolving needs of the agricultural sector, signifying the broader impact of supporting farmers and ranchers on the American economy.

The discussions at the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing underscored the ongoing efforts to shape agricultural policy that supports the sustainability and resilience of the farming community.