Bolivar Commercial
New farm bill provides funds
By Leah Allen
While living in a rural area is a dream come true for many, it also offers a unique set of challenges to farmers and other in agricultural based communities.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which was recently signed into law, seeks to address the needs of regions, such as the Delta.
"All told, this is a Farm Bill that should be welcomed by producers, and at USDA we will eagerly implement its provisions," said Sonny Perdue, United States Secretary of Agriculture in a press release.
"While we would have liked more progress on forest management reforms and work requirements for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, we look forward to using our authorities to make improvements in those areas," Perdue added.
Present in the new legislation are the expected elements like strengthening commodity programs and protecting crop insurance, streamlining and funding to agricultural trade promotion initiatives and focus on animal disease prevention and management efforts.
The AIA will also benefit non-farming members of in rural areas, such as Bolivar County.
The AIA will provide funding for rural health projects aimed at fighting opioid and substance abuse, meeting next generation rural broadband needs and increasing funding for research, extension services and education.
Members of the local agricultural community were also excited about the AIA and what will mean for the region.
"As a whole the agricultural industry was pleased with the passage of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 and that includes us here in the delta," said Kirk Satterfield, who is president of the Bolivar County Farm Bureau and a local rice and soybean producer.
"We would like to thank our congressional delegation and all members of congress who worked together to get this passed in a timely fashion before the close of 2018. In this time of market volatility and low commodity prices overall, a safety net is critical to our industry and to our local farmers.
"Also the conservation provisions, nutrition assistance and research and extension activities are extremely important to our area. I believe our entire community will benefit from the successful passage of the farm bill," he added.
"Agriculture is the foundation of Mississippi's economy, so getting these policies right for our producers is critical," said Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a member of the senate agriculture committee, in a recent press release.
"It was also important to bring a new focus to the needs of rural communities to help them grow economically. I think this bill accomplishes that," she said.