#AgriculturalEconomy

[ivygorgon]

An open letter to the U.S. Congress

Strengthening TEFAP and SNAP provisions in the next farm bill!

387 so far! Help us get to 500 signers!

Recent polling by Feeding America shows that 7 in 10 likely voters, with bipartisan support, want the federal government to do more to address food insecurity. Eighty-five percent of likely voters support increasing funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and 80% agree it’s possible to invest in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while addressing other national priorities. You have an opportunity to help families and individuals access the food we all need to thrive by strengthening TEFAP and SNAP provisions in the next farm bill. This includes: - Doubling mandatory annual funding for TEFAP food purchases to help people facing hunger and support the U.S. agricultural economy. - Increasing annual funding for TEFAP storage and distribution to $200 million to help food banks offset the rising costs of storing, transporting and distributing nutritious foods from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. - Ensuring SNAP’s purchasing power aligns with rising grocery prices and provides adequate support during tough economic times. - Improving SNAP access for older adults, college students, veterans, working families, residents and other people who do not qualify for or are unable to participate in SNAP due to eligibility and enrollment barriers. - Improving assistance to individuals seeking employment by supporting effective state employment and job training programs and ensuring people have access to SNAP benefits as they find work. I support all of this. It’s important. We all do better when every American can thrive. Please make sure these priorities are met in the Farm Bill. Thanks.

▶ Created on January 26 by Jess Craven

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[gqresearch24]

Iowa Agriculture Department Addresses Recent Layoffs Amidst Industry Pressures

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – In the wake of recent layoffs across Iowa’s agricultural sector, Secretary Mike Naig of the Department of Agriculture has shed light on the challenges faced by the industry, attributing the job losses to what he terms as “historic” pressures.

Naig stated, “It’s certainly a sign of the times. We knew that coming into 2024, we would see downward pressure on farm income.” Citing projections from the USDA indicating a potential 25 percent reduction in farm income, Naig underscored the gravity of the situation.

A confluence of factors, including drought conditions and the state of the national economy, has led to the wave of layoffs sweeping across the state. Farmers grappling with lower selling prices for commodities such as corn and soybeans find themselves burdened by escalating costs of inputs like fertilizers and equipment. Naig characterized this phenomenon as a “squeeze,” wherein the disparity between revenue and expenses narrows, severely impacting farmers’ bottom lines.

Lowa’s Response to Agricultural Sector Challenges

“This is something that unfortunately folks involved in agriculture have to weather from time to time,” Naig lamented, acknowledging the cyclical nature of the industry’s challenges.

Despite the current bleak outlook, Naig expressed optimism that the year could culminate on a positive note, contingent upon favorable weather conditions and global demand for agricultural products. “Demand around the world will continue to be strong, and we’ll continue to work towards that,” he affirmed, highlighting the resilience of Iowa’s agricultural community in the face of adversity.

In response to the layoffs and the ensuing economic strain on affected individuals and families, Iowa offers a range of resources and support mechanisms. These include unemployment benefits, job training programs, and financial assistance initiatives aimed at aiding those impacted by the downturn in the agricultural sector.

As Iowa’s farmers and agricultural workers navigate through these challenging times, Secretary Naig emphasized the importance of solidarity and collective efforts in overcoming the obstacles confronting the industry. “We’re in this together,” he asserted, rallying support for Iowa’s agricultural community and emphasizing the crucial role it plays in the state’s economy and identity.

Building Resilience: Iowa’s Ag Sector Looks Forward

The Department of Agriculture remains committed to monitoring the situation closely and collaborating with stakeholders to implement strategies that mitigate the impact of layoffs and foster long-term sustainability in Iowa’s agricultural sector. In conclusion, while the recent spate of layoffs underscores the formidable challenges facing Iowa’s agricultural industry, Secretary Naig’s unwavering optimism and the state’s supportive measures offer a glimmer of hope amidst the adversity. As farmers and stakeholders band together to weather the storm, the resilience and determination of Iowa’s agricultural community serve as a testament to its enduring spirit and resilience.

[chadsmithdad]

Lots of stress out there on the farm and I talked to an expert about simple ways to mitigate the stress we see in rural America these days. If you know someone who's showing some serious distress about their farm, please pass it along?