On September 30th, 2023, the current Farm Bill is set to expire. Ohio Corn & Wheat is working every day to make sure a new Farm Bill is a good deal for our growers.

Through organizations like the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) we are able to share information with lawmakers and make sure your voice is heard in Washington D.C.

Some of the top priorities we have in this upcoming Farm Bill are to protect crop insurance, bolster market development, and strengthen the farm safety net.

Protecting crop insurance is at the top of that list for good reason: It is the number one priority we hear from growers. In 2022 alone, corn farmers insured $66.5 billion in liabilities nationwide. That’s why our organization – partnering with a broad coalition of other farm and commodity organizations – is putting this issue front and center with our nation’s lawmakers.

But there’s a lot more to a successful Farm Bill than crop insurance alone.

Ohio’s farmers depend on new markets. They drive the value of our goods and keep family farms profitable. Critical programs like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development (MAP and FMD) are part of funding the USDA receives in the Farm Bill. Groups like U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Wheat Associates then leverage those dollars to open up foreign markets for our growers to trade their goods overseas. Since the inception of these programs, every dollar invested has yielded a $24.50 return on investment into the American economy. This investment isn’t just good for farmers – it helps promote the whole American economy.

But funding for these programs needs to be addressed in this Farm Bill because support for them hasn’t been increased in decades. Their buying power has been eroded by inflation and administrative costs. The time for Congress to act is now. In the absence of new trade agreements, this is the way our elected officials can bolster every agricultural commodity that exports. It’s a big win for all.

While we want growers to make money, we also want to prevent you from losing money. That’s why we know the Farm Bill needs a strong safety net.

By strengthening the safety net, we mean bolstering Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). These programs protect farmers during significant drops in crop prices or revenues. Ohio Corn & Wheat is opposed to decrease in coverage or funding.

Major legislation like this only comes around every few years and will impact your farm for years to come. You need people in Washington D.C. who are willing to stand up and be your advocate every day.

We are proud to serve our members as the premier advocacy organization focused solely on the issues important to Ohio’s corn and wheat farmers.