Minnesota farmers lay out 2023 Farm Bill priorities at listening session

Listening sessions surrounding the 2023 Farm Bill have resumed, and the most recent one took place in Northfield, Minnesota. Officials had the chance to hear from field workers about their perspectives and what they believe is important in the next Farm Bill.

Similar to previously-held sessions, a strong topic at this meeting was crop insurance and strengthening the farm safety net.

“The number one priority for NCGA in the Farm Bill is to protect crop insurance from harmful budget cuts and reforms. Recently, we have seen groups sharpen their knives and propose massive cuts to the program, which if enacted, would reduce eligibility and drive up costs for producers to manage their risks. Here in Minnesota alone, over 42,000 policies were sold last year, covering more than 8 million acres of corn, with some level of crop insurance coverage. Restricting access to the programs are raising costs and would impact all these growers in our state,” said Brian Thalmann, a fifth-generation farmer, and National Corn Growers Association Corn Board member.

More locations and dates will be announced soon.

Related:

Shaking Things Up: Senate Ag Committee starts Farm Bill discussion by listening to MI producers

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The “Natural State” voiced their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill