Alabama Farmers Federation calls Trump’s farm bailout ‘a step forward’
The Alabama Farmers Federation’s (ALFA) is calling President Donald Trump‘s farm bailout “a step forward” for farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday announced the plan to distribute $6.3 billion as a bailout to assist U.S. farmers whose markets have been disrupted through trade retaliations as a result of President Donald Trump’s trade negotiations. “Although we’re hopeful trade negotiations will end with better conditions for farmers, this package is a step forward in helping farmers deal with current uncertain markets,” said Mitt Walker, the Federation’s National Legislative Programs director. At $1.65 per bushel, soybean farmers are slated to receive $3.6 billion of the $4.7 billion in total direct payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP). Pork farmers will receive $290 million total, at $8 a head. Farmers can apply after harvest is complete and total 2018 production can be reported. The rate depends on the severity of trade disruption and period of adjustment to new trade patterns. Applications are available Sept. 4 and the first round of payments will be based on 50 percent of a farmer’s 2018 production. If a second payment is approved for the remaining 50 percent of production, the amount will be determined by USDA. Remaining commodities and initial payment rates are Cotton: 6 cents per pound Corn: 1 cent per bushel Milk: 12 cents per hundredweight Sorghum: 86 cents per bushel Wheat: 14 cents per bushel MFP payments are capped per person or legal entity at a combined $125,000 for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans and wheat. Meanwhile MFP payments for dairy or hogs are capped at a combined $125,000. The Food Purchase and Distribution Program will purchase up to $1.2 billion in commodities targeted by retaliation. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will distribute products to through the Emergency Food Assistance Program and child nutrition programs. Commodities and target payments include: Beef: $14.8 million Dairy: $84.9 million Pecans: $16 million Pork: $558.8 million USDA will also devote $200 million to developing foreign markets for U.S. crops, through advertising, public relations, participation in trade fairs and market research. Applications for the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program are due Nov. 2.
Steve Flowers: Beth Chapman – on rane plane ride?
Recently, I wrote about ALFA‘s influence in Alabama politics. In my August 8 column, I said, the Alabama Farmers Federation still controls the Legislature. They use to play in the Governor’s Race. However, they got burned badly by Bob Riley when they helped him get elected and the first thing he did was stab them in the back. However, they have slipped around this year and will not only own the Legislature, they will probably have a good friend in the Governor’s office. The day before the Primary, Kay Ivey was put on Jimmy Ranes’ jet to fly around the state. Boarding with her was Beth Chapman, Alfa’s political consultant. The next night when she came off the platform after giving her appreciation speech, guess who was helping her off the stage and holding her arm so that she would not fall? Jimmy Parnell the Farmers Federation President. Well, I get a note from Debbee Hancock, an Ivey campaign spokesperson, yes, that is right, it is spelled Debbee. She informed me that Beth Chapman was not actually on-board Jimmy Ranes’ plane that day when they flew Kay around the state. I politely told her that in watching the television footage, it looked to me like Beth was in a finite group of people walking beside Kay to the plane. Even Brent Buchanan, the Governor’s campaign manager, concurred with my assessment. He told me, “I was there with Beth and saw it on TV after. I totally see how you could have thought she was headed to the plane when the Governor exited that way.” I told young Debbee that I would clarify that Beth did not actually board the plane, it just looked like she did. However, I told them that they should not be so sensitive about or ashamed of the Farmers’ friendship. Also told them that they should have given them a place on the plane. Most people assume that the Farmers’ would be for the Republican nominee for governor. However, Debbee did not dispute the second part of my August 8 comments where I said that Jimmy Parnell, like the gentleman that he is, was helping Kay off the stage the next night. I advised both Debbee and Brent that they really should not allow her to go out alone and be expected to maneuver stage steps. Recently, one of Kay’s people called me and told me I said Kay was senile. I told them that was a blasphemous lie. I said, “She just looked senile.”I appear on numerous radio talk shows and television stations around the state. I am getting up in age and sometimes I do not remember everything I say. I obviously have become quite uninhibited in my observations and ramblings. Walt Maddox has been doing his best to coax Kay’s folks into letting her debate. Folks, you can bet your bottom dollar, Kay Ivey ain’t going to debate Walt Maddox. My observation is that Kay cannot debate. I do not believe that she has the stamina to physically stand up for an hour or two, much less answer questions. It would be political suicide for her handlers to put her in that trap. She would become befuddled and anxious. She would be prone to putting on a show worse than Big Jim Folsom’s appearance on TV in 1962. It would be a good show. All Kay has to do is run out the clock. She needs to continue to say nothing or do nothing. A Republican Governor who looks elderly and has done nothing wrong ethically and who is enjoying the fruits of a great national recovery will beat a young, energetic, highly qualified candidate who is cognizant and well versed on the issues every day of the week and twice on Sunday in Alabama politics. Just the appearance on a debate stage would be dramatic. Alabamians do not care about a gubernatorial debate or for that matter they do not care much about who is governor. What they do care about is college football and it starts next week. It will occupy Alabamians for the next three months. The Governor’s Race will slide under the radar screen. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama Farmers Federation endorses Luther Strange for Senate
With more than 357,000 member families, Alabama’s largest farm organization has thrown its support behind Sen. Luther Strange for the upcoming U.S. Senate special election. FarmPAC, a political action committee of the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), announced their endorsement on Monday. “Sen. Strange has proven his commitment to Alabama farmers and forest owners by seeking and securing appointment to the Agriculture Committee and continuing the fight against regulatory overreach,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “Alabama farmers have enjoyed a close working relationship with Sen. Strange, and we look forward to helping him address the needs of rural Alabama as a U.S. senator.” For nearly 100 years, the 96-year old organization has served as a representative voice for farmers across the Yellowhammer State at the Statehouse in Montgomery and on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Strange said it is an honor to receive the ALFA endorsement. “It’s an honor to receive this endorsement from Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabamians they represent,” said Strange. “These are the hard-working people who clothe us and feed us, create jobs in our communities, and keep our economy thriving. It’s a privilege to be their voice in Washington as I serve on the Agriculture Committee, and I look forward to continuing to defend their rights against federal overreach as we roll-back the job-destroying red tape from the Obama administration.” Strange finds himself in a crowded field vying to be elected to the seat former-Gov. Robert Bentley appointed him to earlier this year. He faces ten Republican opponents also seeking the GOP nomination. They include: James Beretta, Joseph Breault, Randy Brinson, Mo Brooks, Dom Gentile, Karen Haiden Jackson, Mary Maxwell, Roy Moore, Bryan Peeples and Trip Pittman. Eight Democrats are also seeking their party’s nomination. The primary will take place on August 15, 2017. If necessary, runoffs will be held on September 26, and the special election will be December 12.
Mike Rogers: Helping East Alabama’s farmers
As Alabama’s only member on the House Agriculture Committee, I take my role in protecting our farmer’s best interests very seriously. Alabama’s agricultural industry has quite a large impact on our state economy. Agriculture provides over 580,000 jobs in the state of Alabama, and agriculture and related industries bring in over $70 billion dollars to our great state. Just this week, I had the honor of hosting folks from the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) here in Washington, DC. It’s always good to hear from farmers what programs are working for them and what issues are most important to them. Under President Barack Obama, farmers were under assault from overregulation from the EPA and USDA. President Donald Trump has already kept his promise to cut unnecessary government red tape by signing his disapproval of the Waters of the United States rule. This rule was one of the worst examples of bureaucratic overreach by Obama’s EPA. One issue on the front of the minds of everyone in the Agriculture Committee and farmers alike is the upcoming Farm Bill. The Farm Bill authorizes into law all farm programs for five years, and the current one expires in 2018. The House Agriculture Committee has started hearing from the agriculture industry about what programs in the Farm Bill work for them, and most importantly, what programs do not work for them. As these hearings continue, I remain dedicated to protecting and providing for East Alabama’s farmers. Everyone’s lives are impacted by America’s farmers, and it’s important we provide farmers with the tools they need to remain strong and successful. I want to hear from you. Please sign up for my e-Newsletter by visiting www.mikerogers.house.gov. ••• Mike Rogers is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District.
