Hoosiers react to new farm bill

Here is how various Hoosier organizations reacted once it was clear the 2018 Farm Bill would become law:

• Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. President Randy Kron was one of the first to issue comments. “Indiana Farm Bureau has worked on the farm bill over the past two years by creating a state task force to study all of the titles it contains, hosting farm bill listening sessions with elected officials and visiting the Indiana congressional delegation,” Kron says. “It will provide Hoosier farmers with a level of certainty as they begin planning their 2019 crop.

EXPRESSES VIEWS: Randy Kron, an Evansville farmer and president of Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., is one of several Hoosiers issuing comments after passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.

“As farmers face economic uncertainty [due to] trade issues and a downturn in the agricultural economy, the bipartisan support this bill received was certainly an early Christmas present. We also must thank both Indiana senators and our entire congressional delegation for voting ‘yes’ on the bill.”

• Indiana Corn Growers Association. “The final version of this farm bill includes a sensible safety net, preservation of crop insurance and support for conservation programs, which are all important to Indiana farmers,” says DeKalb County farmer Sarah Delbecq, president of the Indiana Corn Growers Association. “We are now another step closer to being able to confidently plan for the near future of our farms.”

• Indiana Soybean Alliance. “Having the farm bill process completed is a tremendous relief for all farmers,” says Indiana Soybean Alliance board member Angie Steinbarger, Shelby County. “Now we know the details of many of the programs. Having this policy in place provides Indiana growers with a necessary sense of stability that helps before talking to bankers or buying seed.”

• Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Ag Director Bruce Kettler made these comments: “The farm bill is a victory for farmers in Indiana and rural America. At a time when farmers are facing tough economic conditions, this bill provides certainty over the next five years and some assurance as they start planning their 2019 crop.

“I’m pleased the bill reinforces crop insurance and commodity programs, both of which are important tools for farmers in managing their operations. It prioritizes funding for conservation, export and research initiatives, which are other areas critical to our efforts. One component I’m particularly excited about is that it establishes a national foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank. This is something Indiana farmers and farm organizations have been requesting for a long time.”

Hemp issue addressed
The bill legalizes growing industrial hemp. However, Robert Waltz, Indiana state chemist, cautions farmers that doesn’t mean they can grow it right away. It looks more likely in 2020.

“There are rules that need to be put in place,” Waltz says. “If you are going to do anything with industrial hemp in the marketplace, you still must abide by the laws. In fact, the federal government still needs rules regarding the role of hemp in animal feed.”

There are also seed supply concerns, and the Indiana Legislature may need to address that as well, he notes.

Funding for AgrAbility continues
Bill Field, Purdue University Extension safety specialist, says the bill contains funds so the AgrAbility program, which he was instrumental in starting, can continue.

“It helps disabled farmers get help,” he says. Field offers a special thank you to retiring Sen. Joe Donnelly for supporting AgrAbility in the new legislation.