News

Missouri Farm Bureau cautiously optimistic about additional farmer aid

The U.S. House will consider a budget resolution this week that would kick off the reconciliation process and could provide up to $12 billion in additional farmer aid.

Garrett Hawkins with Missouri Farm Bureau tells Brownfield he’s cautiously optimistic about more assistance as farmers continue to face economic stress.

“I think when you see the president signaling that more needs to be done, and clearly, you know, Chairman Thompson and Chairman Bozeman have been saying for a while as well, I think that the challenge always becomes making sure you got the appropriate vehicle to hitch it to that that’s moving, right?”

If the U.S. House passes the blueprint, the House Ag Committee could have a markup to decide how the funds are set aside. Then, the ag committee will send those details back to the budget committee to be included in Reconciliation 3.0.

Brad Finstad, a U.S. Congressman from Minnesota, is on the budget and ag committees. He recently told Brownfield $10 billion would be economic aid for row crops, which would look like the USDA’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.

House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson has also said he wants specialty crop growers, along with sawmills and forest products to get support if another round of aid is approved by Congress.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Garrett Hawkins.