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Farmer involvement key to shaping ag policy

Indiana Corn and Soybean held their annual policy forum yesterday.  Jane Ade Stevens, CEO of both the Indiana Corn and Indiana Soybean checkoff and policy organizations tells Brownfield it is an opportunity for farmers to get an inside look at the issues affecting them on a local, state, and federal level.

And in order for farmers to remain in the business of farming, she says it is imperative that they have a voice in that policy making process.  “There are so few farmers now in the business,” she says.  “There are a lot of people that want to tell farmers how to farm.  We have to have these farmers that are left in the business at the policy table talking with regulators and policy makers about farming.  I can be there as a staff person – but they want to hear from the farmers.”

Jane Ade Stevens, Indiana Corn and Indiana Soybean

National Corn Growers Association vice-president of public policy Jon Doggett provided a national policy update to growers.  He says there are two really big issues farmers will need to continue to monitor in 2015.  “Number one is to protect our renewable fuels standard which has been under a lot of attack,” he says.  “We know that we have our work cut out for us and we know there are a lot of people that will do whatever they can to get rid of it.  That is probably going to be our number one, two, and three concerns.”

Beyond that, Doggett tells Brownfield farmers need to fight to protect the current Farm Bill.

Jon Doggett, NCGA