With Democrats gaining a majority in the House and Senate and a Republican-led executive branch, the next congressional session will host a divided government. The ag industry is hoping to still see a focus on farm policy as farmers continue to deal with a tough farm economy and a farm bill that is desperately in need of an update. Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who is now the CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, said the discussion should focus on strengthening opportunities for farmers.
In order to meet that challenge, there will have to be a broader approach to profitability. Vilsack said producers need to have opportunities to differentiate their operations and capture value in the marketplace.
Vilsack said innovation, market development, and new revenue opportunities would be key pieces of a policy framework that could benefit farm families.
Vilsack said the coming years are a chance for lawmakers to revisit how federal farm policy supports agriculture and rural communities.
