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Fordyce talks ad-hoc relief, farm loans in USDA confirmation hearing

The nominee for USDA’s Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation says he’s committed to helping others navigate a tough farm economy.

Richard Fordyce, a Missouri farmer, says that includes implementing timely, fair and impactful disaster relief.

“I would certainly love to partner with Congress in understanding how both USDA, more specifically, the FPAC mission area, could work together to find some solutions going forward.”

His confirmation hearing happened in the U.S. Senate Ag Committee on Wednesday. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would oversee the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service at USDA.

Lawmakers, including Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman, said improving FSA guaranteed farm loans might be one way to help farmers survive a tough farm economy. When asked if Fordyce would support a guaranteed loan limit increase, he said previous loan increases were welcome.

“If that were the intent of Congress to raise those loan limits, that would be appropriate given the costs of things and the entry-level costs of things.”

Fordyce previously served as the USDA’s FSA Administrator in the first Trump administration. Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar told Fordyce things have changed at the agency since Fordyce was last at USDA, including fewer employees.

Fordyce said while he hasn’t seen the data on recent USDA staff reductions “I’m confident we can deliver our mission-critical responsibilities in a very positive way.”

He says past experiences shape his vision to serve at the USDA “to deliver an effective, efficient, predictable and transparent service to farmers across the nation.”

A Senate Ag Committee vote is the next step in Fordyce’s confirmation process. Watch the hearing.

Fordyce is a farmer from Harrison County, Missouri and previously served as the Missouri Ag Director.