Senate Committees Review Farm Bill Programs, Funding Needs

The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on Tuesday to discuss the opportunities available to military veterans who return to civilian life with a desire to explore farming and agriculture as a way to transition into their post-military careers. USDA has in the past funded similar efforts in the form of farm loans to help and encourage veterans to purchase the land necessary to begin small-scale farming, and to further educate them regarding conservation programs, financial and business planning, and risk management. The hearing featured testimony from USDA’s Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison Lannon Baccam as well as by witnesses involved in programs which work to incorporate veterans into agriculture, including the Soldier Agricultural Vocation Education program in Kansas, and the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch.

The Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy also held a hearing to review USDA Rural Development programs authorized in the Farm Bill and to get input from industry stakeholders about how the programs have been working. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Lisa Mensah testified during the hearing and indicated that the Department administers a loan portfolio of $212 billion across its portfolio of business, energy, housing, and other programs.  She highlighted the impact that programs like the Value-Added Producer Grant Program have had in assisting young and beginning farmers in starting a business and discussed the regional approach the Department has taken to spur economic growth through initiatives like StrikeForce and Promise Zones.  Members of the Subcommittee also raised the issue of counties containing both very rural and high population density areas not being eligible for beneficial programs.