Farm Groups Call for Stronger USDA Support and Policy

By Blake Jackson

Farm organizations in Wisconsin are joining a broader national effort urging Congress to strengthen support for federal agricultural programs by passing a long-overdue farm bill and restoring staffing at key agencies.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, and several other groups signed a letter calling on lawmakers to advance what is being referred to as “Farm Bill 2.0.”

It has been more than seven years since a comprehensive farm bill was enacted, despite the legislation typically being updated every five years. Previous attempts in 2023 and 2024 failed, leaving many programs without long-term certainty.

While some core programs received funding through recent legislation, farm groups stress that a complete package is essential to address the full range of needs, including conservation, crop insurance, and food assistance.

In the letter, the organizations emphasized that the full scope of farm bill programs is critical for maintaining productivity and global competitiveness. Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Brad Olson highlighted the importance of stability for producers navigating volatile markets and rising costs.

“It isn’t going to necessarily change prices,” Olson said. “But the stability of those programs, knowing what you can and cannot apply for, the stability of your day-to-day work on the farm, is what agriculture is looking for.”

Olson also expressed support for keeping the bill intact rather than separating provisions, noting that compromise will be necessary to move legislation forward.

At the same time, another coalition, Invest in Our Land, called attention to staffing shortages within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The letter pointed to significant workforce reductions in agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, which have slowed program delivery.

“I’ve been to these offices many times, and you’re sitting there for an hour, two hours, waiting to get stuff done,” Columbia County farmer Larry Alsum said.

“Getting explanations and getting all the reporting done that they want us to do has become time consuming for us,” Alsum said. “And then if you have to wait for responses, that adds to the frustration.”

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