Peanut Farmers Need Assistance Before 2025 Crop Year
Released: September 12, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Representatives from the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF) traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to participate in a multi-commodity fly-in with over 50 other representatives from crop production and agricultural lending organizations. During the trip, SPFF representatives met with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff, to discuss the critical need for passing a Farm Bill before the end of 2024.
In November 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed a 1-year extension of Farm Bill programs at the same levels authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. This extension will expire on September 30, 2024, and many commodity organizations are strongly encouraging a new Farm Bill, rather than another extension.
SPFF representatives played a vital role in advocating for the Farm Bill during approximately 60 meetings on Capitol Hill, providing insight to current extreme economic conditions and other issues they are experiencing across the southeast. The SPFF participants also addressed the desperate need for financial assistance to farmers before the new year and new Congress. The fly-in was successful in relaying a strong message across Capitol Hill.
Joe Boddiford, Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, was among the SPFF representatives this week. “We met with Members and their staff to convey the extreme urgency to have a new farm bill done before the end of the year. It’s clear that we need this congress to write the farm bill. Time is of the essence,” Boddiford said.
Joey Williams, a peanut farmer from Lenox, GA, also attended with the group. “I enjoyed working alongside other commodity members toward a common goal for the betterment of the agricultural industry. I appreciated the interest and support shown to us by the congressional members and staff this week,” he said.
Over 300 national and state groups sent a letter to congressional leaders on September 9 calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end.
Signatories included groups representing farmers, livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders and other essential stakeholders. Peanut-specific support was provided by American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, and Western Peanut Growers.
The letter stated, “It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable, and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate.” “Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year.”
“Since the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law, we have realized considerable gaps in the farm safety net due to sharply changing conditions, including the trade war with China, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19 and related supply chain challenges, rising foreign subsidies, tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers and other harmful practices.” “These conditions seriously tested the effectiveness of the 2018 Farm Bill, and it was only by the aggressive use of supplemental assistance that many farms survived.”
“The farm bill reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress to address serious challenges in agriculture.”
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Formed in 1998, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF) was established to allow Southeastern peanut producers to speak with a unified voice. SPFF is comprised of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association.
