ARA Urges Congress to Fund Agriculture in Year-End Continuing Resolution
Dec 16 2024
Today ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement with concerns that Congress may neglect critical payments needed by growers as legislators work on the year-end continuing resolution this week.
“ARA is extremely concerned with the potential exclusion of grower assistance from the supplemental short-term funding proposal. Without immediate financial assistance, growers may not be able to stay in business, which poses a national and food security risk to the nation.
"Congress waiting until next year to address this important priority for America’s agricultural industry and their rural communities is not acceptable."
In July, ARA member Joey Caldwell with GreenPoint Ag testified during a House Agriculture Committee hearing to emphasize that while farmers are resilient and independent, they require support from policymakers for a robust Farm Bill with the certainty provided by crop insurance.
“Strong farmers make strong families," Caldwell testified. "Those strong families make for strong rural communities, and it is those communities that help make the fabric of this nation.”
ARA strongly urges Congress to recognize the critical role payments to growers play in sustaining the entire supply chain and include ag payments in the year-end continuing resolution.