A group of 16 farmer organizations is preparing to launch a multi-state tour as Congress is about to debate the farm bill.
They are calling on Congress to pass legislation that reforms government checkoff programs and creates a “level playing field” for America’s farmers and ranchers.
“Change begins by putting the brakes on the government’s billion-dollar gravy train known as checkoff programs by passing the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act.”
Over the next two months, the farm groups will host events in at least five states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Alabama, and North Dakota. The tour is slated to begin in Clearwater, Minnesota on May 14.
“A major focus of the tour is to highlight corruption in government checkoff programs, which compel farmers and ranchers to contribute a staggering one billion dollars annually and which have been co-opted by corporate interests,” the group said in a press release.
“Checkoff dollars are often funneled to lobbying organizations that represent the world’s largest meatpackers and grain traders, which then work against the interests of the very farmers and ranchers mandated to pay into the programs.”
Funding Ad Campaigns
Checkoff programs require farmers and ranchers to pay a certain percentage of their harvest or an amount per head of cattle to fund ad campaigns, such as “Got Milk?” or “Beef: It’s What’s For Dinner” and other government campaigns to promote a specific commodity, according to Food and Power.According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), these taxes bring in $70 to $80 million annually to fund research and promote cotton.
Since 1966, the USDA has approved and implemented 22 checkoff programs.
Groups of farmers have pushed unsuccessfully for reforms or the elimination of checkoff programs.
Five-Year Farm Bill
In November, Congress extended the 2018 five-year farm bill for one year. It is set to expire on Sept. 30 but could be extended again if lawmakers are unable to complete the legislation.“Tough decisions are ahead of us, but we should not walk away from the process,” said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) during a Senate floor speech last month.
“It’s a dereliction of duty to the farmers and ranchers of America. I’ve been through numerous farm bills. They’re always hard, and they’re always late, and we never get them done easily. But this seems different to me for the first time saying, ‘What we have is what we get.’”
Mr. Moran said many of the farm bill’s provisions need to be reworked to account for shifting market demands, drought, and inflation.
“In 2023, net farm income is forecast to have decreased by 18.9 percent relative to 2022 and is expected to further decrease by 27.1 percent in 2024. Farm production expenses are projected to have decreased by 1.3 percent relative to 2022 and to increase by 1.6 percent in 2024.”
