During a Farmfest forum, agriculture leaders offered their perspective on the next farm bill. For longtime House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, the WHIP+ disaster program needs to be addressed. “I’m afraid it is going to come back to haunt us,” said Peterson. “They’re going to extend it again so we’ll have four years of disaster payments that the farmer is not contributing to and at some point that is going to be an issue.” Peterson advocated enhancements to crop insurance so it covers more crops and farmers can buy the necessary protection “and farmers have some skin in the game.” Twenty-five percent of the House Agriculture Committee is new and most of them do not represent farm districts. As a result, Peterson said it will take more time and money to educate lawmakers about farm policy.
