Presidential Candidates Answer Questions from Farm Bureau Federation

It is an American Farm Bureau Federation tradition to every four years ask presidential nominees to respond to questions of particular interest to farmers and ranchers.

Among issues put before the candidates this election cycle are food safety, biotechnology, clean water, immigration, and energy.

The federation also asked the candidates about the Farm Bill. In this issue of Shortliner, we include a section of that question and the candidates’ responses.

Farm Bureau Federation: Farm programs cost less than 1 percent of our entire federal budget, while they keep our nation strong and non-reliant on other countries for our most basic need: food. Yet these long-standing, much reformed programs have been under fire by liberals and conservatives alike. As president, how will you stand with farm and ranch families and consumers to protect these important programs?

Trump: “The Trump-Pence Administration will be an active participant in writing the next Farm Bill and delivering it on time! Our farmers deserve a good farm bill written by those who are thankful for our remarkable food system in this country. I support a strong safety net for our nation’s farmers.

“Importantly, I have assembled an Agriculture Advisory Committee comprised of leaders who represent the best that America can offer to help serve agricultural communities. Many of these officials have been elected by their communities to solve the issues that impact our rural areas every day. I’m very proud to stand with these men and women, and look forward to serving with them in serving all Americans from the White House. A full list of members of my Agriculture Advisory Committee is available at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/trump-campaign-announces-agricultural-advisory-committee.

Clinton: “Hillary knows the Farm Bill’s reauthorization presents an incredibly important opportunity to set both our agricultural and rural development policy priorities—which are central to our economy, energy, and food security.

That’s why she will work to ensure we provide a focused safety net for farmers and ranchers by continuing to make progress in targeting federal resources in commodity payment, crop insurance, and disaster assistance programs—which is all the more important with current commodity market prices. She will also support the next generation of farmers by doubling funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development program and strengthening USDA grant programs to make them less about bureaucratic buckets and more about funding flexibility, leveraging local resources, and measuring results.

The Farm Bill also provides the opportunity to improve and enhance our rural development programs that are so pivotal to raising the standard of living in many rural communities—including programs to enhance broadband access, improve soil health and manage wastewater, and expand access to credit for small businesses.”

To see the complete series from the Farm Bureau Federation, go to FarmEquip.org/election16.