Grower-leaders urge action on Farm Bill during Corn Congress visits

Farm families need a new Farm Bill in 2024 that strengthens the farm safety net, Minnesota Corn Growers Association leaders told congressional staffers and federal officials last week during Corn Congress in Washington, D.C.

Low crop prices, high input costs, rising interest rates, tightening credit, natural disasters, and other factors are hurting farm families, farmer-leaders said, necessitating improvements to federal crop insurance and the Farm Bill’s commodity title.

Specifically, Congress must increase the reference price for corn under the Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage programs, farmer-leaders said. They also urged support for narrowing deductibles under crop insurance and ensuring quality coverage for all farmers, regions, and commodities. This should be achieved, they said, through greater premium support at higher coverage levels under individual, area-wide, and novel aggregate-risk policies.

Twice a year, Minnesota Corn farmer-leaders travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and federal agency officials.

Although Congress was in recess last week for the Republican National Convention, the visits still presented a great opportunity for grower-leaders to connect with congressional staff and federal agency personnel.

The visits came as farmer-leaders continued a multi-pronged Farm Bill advocacy effort. In the last couple weeks, Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Dana Allen-Tully and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Harold Wolle have published articles in national outlets urging action on the legislation. Read President Allen-Tully’s piece here and President Wolle’s piece here.

Additionally, on Monday, more than 100 farm groups from across the country, including MCGA and NCGA, sent a letter to congressional leaders urging swift action on the Farm Bill. And, on Wednesday morning, President Allen-Tully testified to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday about the importance of a robust Farm Bill that bolsters the farm safety net. Watch President Allen-Tully’s testimony here.

In addition to strengthening g the farm safety net, farmer-leaders also voiced support during meetings for:

• A U.S. trade agency that achieves meaningful market access for U.S. agriculture.
• The ongoing effort by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to enforce USMCA and halt Mexico’s illegal ban on U.S. corn imports. Grower-leaders applauded the USTR’s efforts and noted how the ban would harm the Mexican people, U.S. farm families, and the U.S. economy.
• A meaningful role for biofuels in achieving U.S. energy independence and meeting climate objectives.
• Voluntary, incentives-based conservation programs that do not condition eligibility or benefit levels outside of the Farm Bill Conservation Title to certain practices.
• Permanent continuation of the estate tax exemptions passed in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• H-2A improvements to help respond to severe farm labor shortages and current regulatory burdens.

Read more about how MCGA advocates on behalf of family farmers here.

NCGA leaders from MN recognized

Corn Congress also gave farmers the opportunity to recognize grower-leaders from across the country who have made significant contributions to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). From Minnesota, that included NCGA President Harold Wolle of Madelia, NCGA Past President and Chairman Tom Haag of Eden Valley, and NCGA board member Brian Thalmann of Plato. Wolle, Haag, and Thalmann are also members of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association Board of Directors.

Wolle, who has served on the NCGA board since 2018, will become chairman this fall, while Haag and Thalmann will retire from the board. Haag has served on the board since 2016 and was president in 2022-23, and Thalmann has served on the board since 2020.

Additionally, farmer-leaders voted on updates to NCGA’s policy platform, which guides the organization’s grassroots advocacy, approving resolutions covering tax policy among other topics.

Klobuchar recognized with NCGA President’s Award

Also during Corn Congress, NCGA recognized U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota with its prestigious President’s Award. The award, one of NCGA’s highest honors, is given each year to a recipient chosen by the organization’s board president

“Senator Klobuchar is a tireless advocate for corn growers,” said Wolle, who has worked with Klobuchar for years on corn grower policy and legislation. “She thoroughly understands the agricultural community and rural America and is always at the forefront championing our issues. It is my pleasure and distinct honor to recognize the senator and fellow Minnesotan with this award.” Read more about the award here.