By Maggie Edwards

The Alabama Farmers Federation and members of Alabama’s Congressional delegation are supporting the Bipartisan Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act of 2024 (FARM Act) recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss. 

If passed, the legislation would provide financial support to farmers when their revenue falls below the cost of production for the 2024 crop year. Congress is in recess and likely won’t vote on the bill until December.

This bill will help farmers during a challenging economy, Kelly said. 

“Farmers have been hit with circumstances outside of their control, such as natural disasters, inflation pressures and drought, which have crippled their ability to obtain financing from credit and banking institutions,” said Kelly, a House Committee on Agriculture member. “The FARM Act will bridge the gap, providing relief so that our farmers can continue to do their best — feed the nation.”

Commodities eligible for relief include barley, corn, cotton, dry peas, grain sorghum, oats, peanuts, soybeans, other oilseeds and wheat. 

Payments will be calculated by a formula: (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Projected Crop Cost – National Projected Returns) x Eligible Acres x 60% = FARM Act Payment. 

Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker noted that because peanuts are not reported nationally on the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), the FARM Act peanut price could change. 

“With peanuts being the main Alabama row crop not reported on the WASDE, the bill states the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will set a projected return for that commodity,” Walker said. “Despite this, we are working on ways to offer a price that will allow the FARM Act to adequately help peanut producers.”

Walker said this legislation is a step in the right direction for Alabama farmers.

“Farmers need help,” Walker said. “Their fight is our fight. I’m proud to see all seven of Alabama’s Congressional members support this, as well as U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., continue efforts in the Senate.” 

Alabama’s delegation includes Reps. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile; Barry Moore, R-Enterprise; Mike Rogers, R-Saks; Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville; Dale Strong, R-Madison; Gary Palmer, R-Hoover; and Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham.