>>> READ THE BILL <<<
What's Included?
- Incorporates Noem’s reforms to strengthen commodity programs. During the 2014 Farm Bill implementation, USDA elected to prioritize county yield data from its National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which has proven unreliable in many cases. Today’s House proposal, using Noem’s language, would direct USDA to prioritize crop insurance data instead, which is a more dependable source.
- Maintains a strong crop insurance program.
- Increases CRP acreage to 29 million acres, while capping rental rates according to Noem proposal. Additionally, enrollment rates will be based on a state’s historical data, which Noem has previously pressured USDA to do.
- Updates the wetland determination process so the USDA must prove the producer doesn’t qualify for an exemption before being ruled outside of conservation compliance, according to language Noem worked on.
- Maintains meaningful Livestock Disaster Programs, which Noem fought to prioritize during the 2014 Farm Bill debate.
- Maintains and strengthens dairy policy. The first 5 million pounds of milk production on a dairy farm is eligible for higher coverage levels at lower premiums.
- Maintains the Beginning Farmer incentive program.
- Enhances incentives for rural broadband development.
- Simplifies the environmental review process requirements for forestry management, which Noem has strongly advocated for – particularly as it relates to fighting the pine beetle and other insect infestations in the Black Hills.
- Establishes work and training requirements for SNAP benefits. Building on the economic successes of tax reform, the legislation would require that able-bodied, non-elderly individuals without young children work or participate in work training for 20 hours per week. No individual would lose benefits unless they decline to work or accept free training to learn a skill.
What They are Saying about the Farm Bill…
“With farm income down 40-50% from five years ago, it is now more important than ever to rapidly pass a farm bill that ensures families remain America’s food producers and to guarantee a steady supply of food at stable prices for consumers. We are grateful to Rep. Noem for fighting for a strong crop insurance program, along with commodity program reform that will assist farm families, especially young farm families, through this tumultuous time.”
-Jerry Schmitz, President of South Dakota Soybean Association
“South Dakota cooperatives’ success follows that of our members. Through Rep. Noem’s leadership, the House version of the Farm Bill makes improvements to the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program for grain, oilseed and cotton farmers; changes provisions of the dairy safety net to address deficiencies in the current program; and funds a vaccine bank for livestock producers, improvements that strengthen our members’ ability to sustain their operations.”
-Brenda Forman, Executive Director of South Dakota Association of Cooperatives
“Crop Insurance provides farmers a tool to manage their risk and handle the unpredictable nature of farming. We are grateful for Rep. Noem’s dedicated work in standing up for South Dakota farmers and protecting this critical Farm Bill safety net.”
-Lisa Richardson, Executive Director of South Dakota Corn
"Most farmers take on a tremendous amount of risk every year to grow the food our nation and world needs. Even though most of us have had great yields the last few years, low prices cause stress and a poor crop in addition to that could be disastrous for a family farm. We are grateful for Rep. Noem's leadership in pushing the Farm Bill forward in a way that protects producers while respecting the taxpayer dollars we all contribute."
-Scott VanderWal, President of South Dakota Farm Bureau
“The Farm Bill is important to South Dakota’s beef producers. It promotes the use of best management practices through conservation programs targeted at working lands, such as CSP and EQIP. It’s also an important safety net for producers who rely on livestock disaster programs such as LIP, LFP and ELAP to recover from weather-related events like unseasonal blizzards or wildfires. Without these programs, our ability to help feed the world would be diminished.”
-Jodie Anderson, Executive Director of South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association
What do you think?
I'd love your feedback!
Note: Fields marked with an * are required.