In the News

President Trump's budget outline for the 2020 Fiscal Year is proposing a 15 percent cut in funding to the US Department of Agriculture.

Local farmer Terry Hayhurst doesn't believe Congress will allow Trump to cut 3.6 billion dollars from the department.

"I had the opportunity to be in DC this week, the first part of the week," he said. "And Matt Erickson who is the Senior Economist for the Ag Committee for the senate basically said it's dead in the water."

If the cut is approved it will lower subsidies for crop insurance premiums to 48 percent from the previous 62 percent.

Congressman Larry Bucshon said in a statement lowering these subsidies would only weaken farmers.

"Lowering subsidies for crop insurance would have a significantly negative impact," he said. "Farmers rely on crop insurance to provide them with protections from unpredictable conditions like drought, freeze, and flooding."

Hayhurst claims crop farmers aren't the only ones who would be impacted by the cut.

"Livestock initiatives. Those types of things, safety nets under livestock will all be hurt," he said.

Buschon also said in his statement he will work with colleagues in Congress to create a budget which will prioritize programs important to the 8th District. 

Programs like agriculture.

"Indiana is among the top ten states in the nation in agricultural exports and supports more than 100,000 Hoosier jobs making programs related to agriculture a top priority to me," said Buchson. "That is why I do not support slashing the USDA's budget by 15 percent."

Hayhurst is encouraging people to think about how the possible budget would impact more than just farmers.

"Agriculture, we may be less than two percent of the population actively involved in agriculture. But like 25 percent of the population is involved some place in the system of food and fiber," he said. "Preparation, delivery, those types of things. And of course everybody is involved in agriculture three times a day when they eat."

The following the full statement from Congressman Larry Bucshon.

"Each fiscal year, the President sends a budget outline to Congress as a suggested path forward for appropriating funds. President Trump recently submitted a budget proposal for fiscal year 2020 that would continue to fully fund our military, construct 200 miles of new border wall, and cut discretionary spending by $2.7 trillion over ten years. With the President's suggestions, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to set forth a budget that focuses on addressing our country's growing debt while prioritizing programs important to Hoosiers in the 8th district. 

"Indiana is among the top ten states in the nation in agricultural exports and supports more than 100,000 Hoosier jobs making programs related to agriculture a top priority for me. That is why I do not support slashing USDA'S budget by 15%. Congress recently spent over a year working to enact a new Farm Bill - which President Trump signed into law at the end of 2018 - and rejected many of the farm policy proposals contained in the President's budget. USDA programs are vitally important to a large number of Hoosier farmers to support their farms and families. Furthermore, lowering subsidies for crop insurance would have a significantly negative impact - farmers rely on crop insurance to provide them with protections from unpredictable conditions like drought, freeze, and flooding. Weakening the farm safety net - which accounts for only one-third of one percent of the federal budget - could be the difference between a farmer staying in business and a farmer being out of business." - Dr. Bucshon

Lily Pesavento
My Wabash Valley