Farm Bureau outlines strategies to strengthen rural economies
Farmers across America—from Mississippi cotton fields to Washington apple orchards—are facing uncertainty as rising input costs, unstable market access, and weak commodity prices threaten profitability. Many now rely on off-farm income to make ends meet, eroding the stability of rural communities.
U.S. agriculture remains vital, supporting nearly one in five American jobs and contributing over $6 trillion to the economy. To rebuild stability, Farm Bureau leaders propose long-term solutions focused on fairness, predictability, and growth.
Fair and Enforceable Trade Agreements are crucial as exports represent one-fifth of U.S. farm output. Enforcing existing deals like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and securing new ones will ensure steady demand and fair competition.
Policy Support for Biofuels helps merge energy security and farm growth. Year-round E15 sales could raise corn demand by 2.4 billion bushels annually. Clear tax incentives for sustainable aviation fuel would also boost use of farm-based feedstocks.
Restoring Whole Milk in Schools would not only benefit student nutrition but also increase dairy demand, supporting thousands of farmers nationwide.
Protecting Interstate Commerce ensures uniform standards for food production, preventing costly state-by-state regulations that harm small producers and increase prices.
Investigating Input Market Imbalances can address soaring fertilizer, seed, and equipment costs by enforcing transparency and competition in pricing.
Prioritizing American-Grown Produce in federal programs can redirect millions into local farms, strengthening domestic food security and reducing dependence on imports.
“Keeping farmers in business is essential to America’s strength,” said AFBF’s John Newton.
Photo Credit: american-farm-bureau-federation