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AFBF warns Congress of deepening economic crisis in rural America

The American Farm Bureau Federation is among a list of ag groups concerned about the future of farming.

Brian Glenn, AFBF’s director of government affairs, says they recently helped lead a letter to Congress, which included 56 organizations, sounding the alarm about an economic crisis in rural America.

“The state of the farm economy is in bad shape,” he said. “We have been hearing more and more from our farmers and ranchers across the country about the price squeeze they are in with consistently high production expenses, high input costs, depressed low commodity prices.”

He tells Brownfield farm bankruptcies continue to rise.

“These are cumulative losses that are approaching $100 billion in the farm economy. This is immense pressure.”

Glenn says the groups told Congressional leaders that losses for commodity and specialty crops remain deep and the gap needs to be closed.

“We need swift action on policy that will increase domestic demand for ag commodities and help ensure farm profitability and viability over the longer term.”

The letter acknowledged appreciation for recent investments in farm programs, like the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, but seeks additional economic support to ensure the future of farming.

Brian Glenn Audio Interview: