Breaking down the Farm Bill and what’s happening in Washington D.C.

The 2024 Farm Bill projects a framework that will include policy and funding levels for key food, agriculture and conservation programs.

Agricultural Retailers Association Senior Director of Public Policy Hunter Carpenter and Helena General Manager of Government Affairs Sean McCarty break down what’s taking place in Washington D.C.

The Agriculture Retailers Association (ARA) is the trade association that represents farm suppliers and dealers throughout the country in Washington D.C. ARA’s primary focus is meeting with lawmakers and regulators about the issues that affect your freedom and license to operate as a business.

“We want to do what we can to provide member services to folks like Helena, who have seen it necessary to join ARA,” says Carpenter. “There are many different things that we provide for our members but advocacy on the Hill is the major one.”

The ARA is actively working with lawmakers on the construction of the current Farm Bill.

“Everyone knows we’re already late on a farm bill, as it was supposed to get done last year. We’ve already seen a markup come out of the House Agriculture Committee, but your guess is as good as mine as to when the bill will be passed,” says Carpenter.

The Farm Bill is made up of 12 titles. Each title covers a different aspect of food and nutrition within the supply chain of the agriculture community. ARA plays heavily into the conservation title  of the Farm Bill to help ag retailers and their employees to quickly become technical service providers.

The overarching theme of the Farm Bill is provision. Sean McCarty, Helena General Manager of Government Affairs, discusses the uncertainty between producers and the Farm Bill.

“The Farm Bill is a safety net, as we approach planting season, every year, farmers are taking a gamble. Here at Helena, we want to have that certainty so that our customers, our colleagues, our friends and our family members feel comfortable,” says McCarty.

Regarding construction of the Farm Bill, various challenges and business regulations continue to arise against the passing efforts of this bill.

Sean McCarty adds, “We know that there have been challenges which include inflation, labor shortages, the cost of doing business and the cost of land have all increased across states. If we want to be able to continue to innovate and put emphasis behind the research that will allow companies to keep bringing new products to the market, we will need to make room for that growth opportunity.”

The Farm Bill is an all-encompassing initiative, that expands to every part of the country and touches the daily lives of individuals, more so than any other piece of legislation. The Farm Bill touches all parts of the world impacting food, nutrition, crop insurance international trade, policy and producers. In the end, regardless of affiliation, compromise is important and a key component towards progression.

To hear more from Hunter Carpenter and Sean McCarty about the ways ARA and Helena works to accommodate during uncertain times check out Episode 63 of The FieldLink Podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen.