News

Importance of crop insurance understood

One of the few things representatives of both Presidential candidates can agree on is the importance of crop insurance.

During a recent Farm Foundation forum, Rod Snyder, former senior advisor for ag for EPA under the Biden-Harris Administration, says crop insurance is a critical tool, and there needs to be bipartisan support to ensure the programs are preserved and strengthened going forward. “There has been opposition from maybe the left and the right flank on this issue, and you know, I think that’s largely misplaced,” he says. “This is a critical tool. When I talk to farmers, this is one of the most important pieces, I think, of the farm bill now when it comes to the farm safety net.”

Kip Tom, Indiana farmer and co-lead of the Farmers and Ranchers for Trump Coalition, says farmers would prefer to pay the crop insurance premium and never receive payment.  But, it provides assurance. “If you’re the bank, it gives you the bank, the courage to loan to maybe that young producer that will never get a loan if you didn’t have access that crop insurance,” he says. “So whether you’re a young producer or a mature larger operation, crop insurance is critical to us. Can it be fine-tuned and changed? Absolutely.”

Both agreed that the crop insurance program has been a tremendous success and is a tool that will ensure that farmers can stay in business through good years and tougher economic times.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will debate this evening at 9pm ET/8pm CT.