Other Ag News: Comment: In Package to Avert Government Shutdown, Congress Picks Winners and Losers in Farm Country

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

press@sustainableagriculture.net

Washington, DC, December 21, 2024 – On Friday evening, Congress approved the American Relief Act, 2025 to extend government funding through March 14, 2025, extend certain provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and provide disaster relief for farmers hit hard by natural disasters during 2023 and 2024. The following is attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director:

“In approving the American Relief Act, Congress sent a clear message to farmers across the country – some of you matter, and some of you don’t. Negotiators managed to include $10 billion in economic aid for which only some farmers are eligible, but agreed to exclude a permanent, generational investment in conservation programs – programs which build productivity, sustainability, and resilience, and for which all farmers are eligible. The $10 billion in economic aid comes in addition to billions worth of subsidies already provided through the commodity and crop insurance programs, which won’t be taken into account when determining the new economic aid payments.

Negotiators also stripped important, bipartisan negotiated provisions of the farm bill extension in the final deal, including the loss of roughly $177 million in funding for USDA’s so-called “orphan” programs. These programs have small price tags but big impacts across all fifty states, from improving farm system efficiency, increasing farmers’ and ranchers’ resilience to extreme weather, supporting young farmers, and growing market access. They will now face ceased operations as their funds run dry.

The only bright spot in this otherwise disappointing outcome, is the inclusion of revenue-based disaster relief assistance for producers. We look forward to working alongside USDA to implement these resources to ensure accessibility and responsiveness to the diverse recovery needs of all farmers, including those in the southeastern US hard hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Quick work in 2025 is now even more critical. Amidst a new Congress and new Administration, Congress must get to work on a new farm bill that recoups the conservation investment left on the table by this deal, funds the “orphan” programs, and is rooted in policies that meet the needs of all farmers.”

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