Farmers are ready to act on global warming “and we need to help them do more,” said Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow at the committee’s first hearing on the 2023 farm bill, held at Michigan State University. “We’ve seen the overwhelming popularity of voluntary conservation programs.”
Stabenow said the next farm bill “must address the economic security of our farmers, families and rural communities by supporting a more resilient and sustainable food supply chain. We can do more to improve competition and expand opportunities for small, midsized and local producers that grow things at home to prevent shortages and reduce cost spikes when a crisis does occur.”
Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, the Republican leader on the committee, said the Russian invasion of Ukraine “exposed the vulnerabilities of our domestic and international supply chains. This requires us to re-think the nature of our relationships across the globe — strengthening bonds with countries who share our similar values and minimize reliance on those who violate norms.”
The committee leaders vowed at the hearing on Friday to write a bipartisan bill that would win broad Senate support.
“Traditionally, this has not been a Democrat or Republican thing,” Boozman told the North American Agricultural Journalists last week, when asked how the midterm elections would affect the farm bill. “My commitment is to keep it that way, as much as possible. Now politics always enter into things. I think you see more of the divisions with some of the nutrition programs but generally, it’s not the case.”
To watch a video of the hearing, click here.