House Ag Committee Hosts First Farm Bill Hearing

Lorrie Boyer
Reporter
“This farm bill should prioritize development of new crop insurance tools for uncovered producers as well as improvements to existing tools and a practical affordable way. Regardless of commodity and farm size. In California, less than a quarter of our 400 commodities are covered by existing crop insurance programs. In order to recover from significant losses. Our producers have often had to rely on significantly delayed ad hoc federal funding in the case of emergency relief programs. Many producers in California have waited nearly three years to see any form of support it should go without saying that many family businesses simply cannot afford
to wait so long.”
He also spoke to the forestry title of the Farm Bill.
“We urge the committee to consider a robust forestry title and the upcoming Farm Bill. The US Forest Service recently announced that there are over 38 million dead trees in California alone, to keep our forests healthy and mitigate wildfire risk to communities and natural resources.”
And among other points Johansson also asked that the farm bill address staff shortages at Farm Service Agency offices.