(Dec. 14, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C.) United States Peanut Federation (USPF) members are disappointed after the recent breakdown of congressional discussions on the inclusion of economic assistance for farmers in upcoming appropriations legislation.

Over the past few months, USPF members have participated in three separate fly-ins to Washington, D.C., urging legislators to provide financial relief after the multi-year impact of increases in costs of production paired with low prices on the agriculture industry. The current extreme economic conditions and low probability, in many cases, of accessing loan services for the next crop year, create a financially devastating situation for farmers going into crop year 2025, with many predicting the closure of their farms. Additionally, many southern growers were impacted by back-to-back hurricanes this year, only worsening their situation and increasing the need for economic assistance.

Congress returned to session on November 12, and USPF members were hopeful agricultural economic assistance would be included in the final appropriations legislation during the Lame Duck session. Unfortunately, recent Capitol Hill discussions have lessened their confidence for economic assistance to be included along with the expected one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Congress has until December 20, 2024 to complete the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process, including the Farm Bill extension, and USPF members strongly oppose any supplemental appropriations legislation that does not include vital economic assistance for the agriculture industry.

Joe Boddiford, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, said, “The current economic crisis has devastated the peanut industry, and Congress must provide economic assistance to support those who feed our nation. Most don’t realize the severity of this situation, and many farmers will be forced out of business if Congress does not act now. It is imperative Congress deny appropriations funding if assistance is not provided to the row crop industry.”

Carl Sanders, president of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, said, “Many peanut growers are unsure how their families will continue farming in 2025 with the current financial struggles they’re experiencing. Financial assistance from Congress is needed to bridge the gap until a new Farm Bill is in place.”

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The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. USPF serves as a unified voice in Washington D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry and advocates actively for strong agricultural policy. For additional information, contact Lorene Parker at (202) 543-7464 or by emailing lparker@reddingfirm.com.

(June 13, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) released the Senate Republican-drafted framework for the 2024 Farm Bill. The legislation addresses the top priorities of the U.S. Peanut Federation:

• The maintaining of the Price Loss Coverage Program
• A reference price increase that reflects the increases in the cost of production since the 2018 Farm Bill
• A voluntary base update

Senator Boozman’s framework reflects what he heard from peanut growers, shellers, and buying points across the peanut belt. Senator Boozman and his team visited peanut farms and processors and heard first-hand the impact of increases in the cost of production, struggles with agricultural financing, labor shortages, trade barriers, and a need for a voluntary base update.

In a letter to Ranking Member Boozman, the USPF stated, “The United States Peanut Federation sincerely appreciates the challenging work that went into producing the recently released 2024 Senate Farm Bill framework. This proposal reflects what you have heard from the peanut industry and from Production Agriculture across the U.S. We support this proposal and encourage the Senate to move forward with a bipartisan Farm Bill this year.”

USPF is comprised of peanut growers, shellers, and buying points and have been unified in their efforts throughout the Farm Bill process. The peanut industry’s priority is a meaningful increase in the reference price for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. The historic rise in input costs and cost of production make a reference price increase a necessity to keep the farm safety net intact. USPF is pleased that this proposal includes a significant increase in reference price for peanuts in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. The legislation also addresses other peanut priorities, including a provision for a voluntary base update which will be essential for young farmers and new production areas that have not been able to utilize safety net programs to date.

USPF Chairman Jamie Brown commented, “In our testimony before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, meetings on Capitol Hill, and in the peanut belt, we have emphasized the increased costs of production for growers and need for a reference price increase. In addition, we have supported a voluntary base update that assured a pathway for young growers and equity for peanut production regions of the U.S. that did not have peanut base. Senator Boozman’s framework addresses our top priorities.”

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The U.S. Peanut Federation represents the peanut industry in Washington, D.C. and was founded by the American Peanut Shellers Association, the National Peanut Buying Points Association and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

(May 24, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C.) The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture voted to pass the Farm Bill, titled “The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024” in a 33-21 vote. Four democrats – Reps. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Don Davis (NC-01), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17) – joined with all Republican Committee members in voting yes on this legislation.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Peanut Federation sent a letter to U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson in support of the legislation, stating: “The United States Peanut Federation sincerely appreciates the hard work that went into producing the 2024 Farm Bill. This legislation will support peanut producers who have been struggling in recent years due to increases in farm inputs, labor shortages, trade barriers, and supply chain disruptions.”

Throughout the Farm Bill process, the peanut industry has been united in its priorities, namely a meaningful increase in the reference price for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. The historic rise in input costs and cost of production make a reference price increase a necessity to keep the farm safety net intact. This legislation includes a 17.8 percent increase in reference price for peanuts in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, bringing the reference price from $535/ton to $630/ton.

The legislation also includes other peanut priorities, including a provision for a one-time voluntary base update which will be essential for young farmers and new production areas that have not been able to utilize safety net programs to date.

Peanut-state Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) stated: “As Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, I am pleased that several of my priorities to ensure a strong farm safety net were included in this legislation, and I appreciate the bipartisan support for final passage through committee.”

“The U.S. Peanut Federation appreciates the hard work of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee in drafting this Farm Bill and passing it out of committee,” stated USPF Chairman Jamie Brown. “The peanut industry has struggled in recent years due to increases in farm inputs, labor shortages, trade barriers, and supply chain disruptions. Yesterday’s markup was an important first step in getting producers the assistance they need to continue to produce our nation’s food, fuel, and fiber. USPF applauds the Members of Congress who supported farm communities by voting to advance this important legislation.”

Following the markup, U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson said that he does not expect the legislation to be considered on the House Floor before September due to the busy appropriations schedule for the upcoming months.

Find more information about this legislation, including the full bill text, here.

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The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. USPF serves as a unified voice in Washington, D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry and advocates actively for strong agricultural policy. For additional information, please contact the USPF at (202) 543-7464.