Not only is this the busiest time of year for ag retailers as they get their farm customers ready to plant, but the Agricultural Retailers Association is also balancing a lot of moving parts in D.C. when it comes to farm policy.
Hunter Carpenter is ARA’s director of public policy. He talks to Mid-West Farm Report about how the supply chain, energy independence legislation and the debt ceiling can all impact ARA members, in addition to the 2023 Farm Bill.
In addition to crop insurance and conservation programs, ARA would like to see a more streamlined certification process for technical service providers or TSPs in the 2023 Farm Bill.
“The ag retailer plays a huge role in putting together nutrient management plans for their growers,” Carpenter explains. “We’ve continued to see certification issues and NRCS taking a long time to certify TSPs. We think that the ag retailer wants to work in concert, not in lieu of, NRCS staff. We know that they have huge shortages at NRCS at the state levels in trying to get these conservation plans put together.”
Another priority point for ARA, Carpenter says, is price volatility. He argues that it stems from strains on the energy complex. ARA supports an “all-of-the-above energy approach” and energy independence, backing wind, solar, nuclear and coal.
“We think that the more options people are given for energy, the lower prices will be,” he says.
Carpenter says the current debt ceiling debates could delay the 2023 Farm Bill. The outcome is also directly linked to funding availability for farm programs.
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