From lower commodity and livestock markets to weather challenges, 2019 has been a very challenging year for a lot of farmers and ranchers. And with just a few days left in the year, Agricultural tax experts like Wipfli’s Curt Barnekoff are encouraging farmers and ranchers to visit with their certified public accounts before the end of the year.
The Crop Insurance Coalition is asking Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and the Office of Management and Budget to oppose crop insurance cuts as the Trump Administration develops its fiscal year 2021 budget. They point out that despite a recent bump in net farm income this year, net farm income is still down $44 billion from 2013 in inflation-adjusted dollars. Multiple hardships have taken a big toll on farm families all over the country and they say crop insurance provides predictable, on-budget assistance to farmers in a way that helps lenders continue to support America’s farmers and ranchers.
As producer interest in growing hemp continues to increase across the country, more than 300 farmers, the U.S. Hemp Farming Alliance and others have come together to form the U.S. Hemp Growers Association, the first and only national farmer-directed hemp trade association. Caren Wilcox, who previously held executive roles at Hershey, the USDA and Organic Trade Association, will be the first executive director of the organization. The U.S. Hemp Growers Association says it will provide world-class educational and market development resources, research, and networking opportunities and will unify the voice of farmers to actively engage in critically important advocacy efforts
