Crop Insurance Conversations Shape 2023 Farm Bill

The 2023 Farm Bill faces a unique challenge not seen in several past creations of the legislation. Unseasoned congressional representatives require education on agriculture and rural policies for this year’s House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Perhaps the most critical piece of that education is the role crop insurance plays in protecting U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Largely, partisan views are pulling for how crop insurance is grouped in terms of spending. Democrats are pushing for climate-related portrayal as crop insurance is the first line of defense for farmers facing extreme weather. The Republicans are driving a more holistic innovative approach where nutrition spending through SNAP policies is grouped with trade in the same subcommittee. However, with a Democratic-controlled Senate and a Republican-controlled House, there are likely not to be any revolutionary changes.

Perhaps one of the most pressing priorities driving the timely completion of a new farm bill is the loss of a dairy safety net if no action is taken. The 2018 farm bill stood to lose 38 programs if it wasn’t passed on time, while the 2023 bill stands to lose 18.

Read more on the crop insurance discussions shaping the 2023 farm bill here.