In D.C., grower-leaders advocate for corn farmers
Above: Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (center) meets with Minnesota Corn Growers Association grower-leaders during MCGA’s annual spring D.C. Fly-In.
Last week, Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) grower-leaders were in Washington, D.C., to advocate for policies that benefit corn farmers and rural communities.
Grower-leaders met with members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, leaders of congressional agriculture committees and key USDA staff, including Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie. Farmer-leaders highlighted multiple MCGA priorities and pressing issues facing corn farmers, including:
- skyrocketing input prices, inflation and supply chain problems that have caused uncertainty for farmers;
- how Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage reference prices and loan rates are out of step with the current costs of corn production;
- the importance of preserving Federal Crop Insurance in the Farm Bill and maintain the program based on insurance principles instead of incorporating conservation or climate considerations;
- building on the success of the Farm Bill’s conservation title to meet public policy objectives on climate change and resource conservation;
- bills to allow for year-round E15 sales, provide E15 infrastructure funding and promote high-octane, low-carbon fuels through the Next Generation Fuel Act;
- appreciation that Congress worked to prevent the elimination of stepped-up basis and other harmful tax code changes but also the need to remain vigilant to ensure those tax proposals do not turn up in a future bill;
- how free and fair trade benefits agricultural producers; and
- the importance of addressing the supply and price issue of fertilizer, given current unstainable conditions.
MCGA is proud to advocate for public policies that increase opportunity and resiliency for corn farmers. To learn more about MCGA’s advocacy efforts, and how you can get involved, visit mncorn.org/advocacy.
