Pulaski Times

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, has called for Congress and the administration to provide a “timely and urgent response” to the looming farm crisis through emergency assistance to farmers. He also emphasized the need to pass a farm bill before the end of the calendar year in a speech on the Senate floor.

On emergency assistance, Boozman stated, “Farmers across the country need a bridge to help their family farms survive into next year. We’ve seen previous ad-hoc assistance programs established in a period of weeks, as demonstrated by then Secretary [Sonny] Perdue when the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions for producers. That level of timely and urgent response by Congress and the administration is once again warranted.”

Boozman addressed stalled farm bill talks: “The next farm bill is the appropriate place to make the necessary long-term corrections to our farm safety net, but farmers need timely support addressing 2024 losses as they enter the winter months when they make planting decisions and secure financing for the upcoming crop year,” he said. “We must redouble our efforts to pass a farm bill before the end of the calendar year that meets this moment – one that provides the support our farmers desperately need to stay in business. I am committed to sitting down with my counterparts for as long as it takes to hash out a deal that our members can support.”

In his remarks, Boozman highlighted recent visits from hundreds of farmers and ranchers who traveled to Capitol Hill urging for a strong farmer-focused farm bill by year's end.

“For these farmers, this trip came with additional stress of being away from their farms at harvest season’s height,” Boozman said. “Their visits clearly articulated anxiety gripping farm country at this crucial moment.”

Boozman noted warnings from various agricultural sectors about an impending crisis due to rising costs from inflation, doubled interest rates, and market prices below production costs.

“Producers are struggling... particularly row crop farmers,” he said. “The reality is there will be fewer farmers in 2025 if Congress does not respond.”

He stressed two immediate actions: providing emergency assistance for 2024 economic losses and passing an updated farm bill.

“This is not a crisis they can produce, insure or conserve their way out of,” he said regarding emergency aid needs.

Boozman acknowledged ongoing financial struggles among southern state producers like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas with significant per-acre losses already affecting them.

“What do losses of this magnitude translate to? Not only are producers not able to pay their bills but securing an operating loan for next year’s crop becomes impossible,” he stated.

He concluded by reiterating his commitment: "I was encouraged to see House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott make a similar appeal last week... Our family farmers are staring down a crisis that is growing more dire by day."

Senate Ag Committee Republicans have been raising concerns about this brewing crisis for months according to Boozman: "It is very reason we have been adamant about need more farm in next farm bill."