Farm Policy/ Farm Programs

93. Farm Income
Future farm policy should be based on or take into consideration production cost. (PEANUT/COTTON)

94. National Farm Policy
We support national farm policy that includes production price and yield loss safety nets, specialty crop block grants, producer-friendly conservation programs, permanent comprehensive disaster risk management, and long-term renewable energy benefits. (OVERSIGHT)

95. Payment Limitations
We oppose any restrictions or reductions in payment limitations, adjusted gross income (AGI) or means testing. (PEANUT/COTTON)

96. Peanut Program
In respect to developing the rules and regulations to implement the new Farm Bill, we support the following:

• The $355.72 loan rate basis grade for peanuts should be the minimum net guarantee per delivered ton of farmer stock peanuts.
• All storage, handling, and other associated costs should be paid by the CCC and made available for farm-stored loans.
• The USDA should be open with the method of calculating the loan repayment rate.
• USDA/FSA, area associations and farmer owned cooperative-marketing associations should be allowed to administer the marketing assistance loans.
• The Secretary of Agriculture should allow on the farm storage loans to be available under the new Farm Bill at the growers’ discretion.
•  We encourage peanuts to only be made available for non edible uses after loan maturity. (PEANUT/COTTON)

97. Producer Eligibility Determination

We support implementation of farm policy in such a manner as to minimize the disruptions to landlord-tenant relationships. We support efforts to provide the state FSA Committee authority to determine eligibility requirements for farm program benefits. (OVERSIGHT)

98. Storage and Handling Fees
We support retaining storage and handling fees as established in the 2002 Farm Bill.

All storage, handling and other associated costs should be paid by the CCC and made available for farm-stored loans. At a minimum, priority should be given to forfeited peanuts. (PEANUT/COTTON)