On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) introduced two pieces of legislation—the Farm Board Act and the Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023—to improve opportunities and representation for Alabama’s agriculture community.
“Agriculture is the foundation of our economy,” Sen. Tuberville said. “That’s why I am proud to work on a bipartisan basis with Senators Warnock and Welch to introduce the Farm Board Act, legislation that will work to ensure our livestock producers have a seat at the table on the FCIC Board. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to unveil more risk management tools to help our cattle and livestock producers in Alabama, and we want the Board to reflect their needs. I am also proud to stand united with my fellow Senators from Alabama and Tennessee to advocate for a new revenue opportunity for our farmers in the Southeast to produce canola and rapeseed. With the growing demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels, our producers will have enhanced opportunities to use productive acres during the winter months to earn a paycheck; now we just need the data to address the crop insurance gaps.”
The Farm Board Act is led by Senators Tuberville, Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), and Peter Welch (D-Vermont). The legislation would change the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s (FCIC) ten-member Board of Directors. The FCIC is a government-owned corporation that finances the federal crop insurance program’s (FCIP’s) operations. Crop insurance is vitally important to farmers, especially with high input costs. Presently there are four seats for agricultural producers on the board, one of which must be a specialty crop producer. This bill designates two of the remaining three open seats for farmers on the FCIC Board and then leaves the final seat open. The changes would not immediately affect the current structure of the board as this legislation would apply to appointments to the Board for a period of service beginning October 1, 2024, or later.
“The members of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors should reflect the farmers who their policies impact,” said Sen. Warnock. “The FCIC plays a crucial role in ensuring farmers aren’t financially ruined by a poor season or a natural disaster. I’m proud to partner with Senator Tuberville on this effort to ensure livestock and underserved producers have a seat at the FCIC Board’s table—this representation will be a net positive for Georgia farmers and families.”
Jimmy Parnell is the President of the Alabama Farmers Federation.
“As the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and RMA continue to introduce more risk management tools for livestock producers, it is important to have farmers on the board who produce both row crops and livestock to offer their perspective,” said President Parnell.
“We appreciate Senator Tuberville’s continued support of agriculture and particularly the livestock sector,” the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association said in a statement. “Changes to risk management programs have allowed increased access for cattlemen to utilize these tools effectively, so representation on this board is greatly appreciated.”
The Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023 is led by Senators Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee). The legislation would request a study from the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) on the gap in crop insurance coverage for certain winter oilseed crops, specifically canola and rapeseed, and double cropping policies. For farmers to take advantage of opportunities in renewable diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, they need the assurance that crop insurance—such as Catastrophic Risk Protection, Yield Protection, Revenue Protection, or Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusion—will be eligible in their counties for these crops and practices. To address crop insurance gaps that may exist, RMA and FCIC need analysis of winter oilseed crop and double-cropping production practices and opportunities.
The diversification of our energy markets is dependent on adding new, cost-effective, and sustainable options is necessary. As a result, the agriculture industry has the opportunity not only to feed the world but also to fuel the world. There is a growing demand for renewable diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which can be met with the increased production of oilseed crops like canola and rapeseed crops.
Tommy Tuberville was elected to the United States Senate in 2020 and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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