Senator Bayh comes from a tradition of family farming and is dedicated to preserving this important part of our Hoosier heritage. He has worked hard to support Indiana’s farmers, who represent some of the very best of Indiana traditions, and understands that farming is not always a predictable living. As a result, he supports providing a safety net to help keep farm communities solvent during difficult seasons. He has also fought to protect farmers from unfair trade practices and to help American farmers compete in the global economy by finding new markets for Indiana goods so that Hoosier farmers can benefit from the international trade.

Farming Flexibility

Helping Hoosier farmers reap the benefits of the 21st Century global economy means listening to them. Senator Bayh believes the choice of what to plant belongs with farmers in Indiana, not bureaucrats in Washington. With that in mind, Senator Bayh worked with Senator Richard Lugar to introduce the Farming Flexibility Act of 2007, with the goal of remedying certain planting restrictions and allowing farmers to opt out of the federal farm program on a yearly basis to raise produce. The legislation would allow farmers to voluntarily forgo federal subsidies in favor of producing profitable fruits and vegetables. The bill not only would help save farmers and the jobs of workers in Indiana, but it also would save taxpayer dollars by reducing the amount of money the government directs to farmers as a means of supporting agriculture. Bayh and Lugar were successful in getting several pieces of the Farming Flexibility Act added to the 2007 Farm Bill, including a provision creating the Indiana Tomato Pilot Program.

Turning to Our Farmers for America's Fuel

Senator Bayh has long advocated the need to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil and has called for steps that will move the country toward greater energy security. Indiana’s farmers are playing a significant role in moving the country toward that goal by increasing production of ethanol. Senator Bayh believes that depending on America’s farmers for America’s fuel makes more sense than importing so much of it from the Middle East. At the same time, while Hoosier farmers have answered the call for greater production, Senator Bayh has led the fight to ensure there are markets to meet those production goals. He has pushed for increasing the number of E-85 ethanol and flex fuel vehicles that can run on renewable fuels made from corn and cellulosic ethanol, called for an increase in the number of E-85 pumps at gas stations nationwide, and fought for an increase in the amount of renewable fuels that must be used each year.

Indiana Tomato Pilot Program

Working together to increase flexibility for farmers, Senators Bayh and Lugar, along with Representatives Ellsworth and Donnelly, were successful in getting the Indiana Tomato Pilot Program included as part of the 2007 Farm Bill. The pilot project allows some farmers in Indiana to opt-out of program crops to grow tomatoes for processing without incurring a penalty. As a result, Hoosier farmers participating in the program would be able to plant the crops that make the most sense for the land and for the market, instead of relying on arbitrary policies that could reduce their productivity.

Fair Trade for Hoosier Farmers

American farmers are among the most efficient in the world, but they are frequently denied access to overseas consumers. Senator Bayh believes in opening new markets for U.S. agriculture by strengthening trade relations with foreign countries. He supports achieving greater market access through balanced and enforceable free trade agreements, and through efforts in the World Trade Organization to reduce global trade barriers to agriculture. A marketplace that is free of trade distortions will mean success for Hoosier farmers.