Indiana Corn Marketing Council

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 23, 2012) — Passing a farm bill now was the clear message as Indiana corn and soybean farmers spent the last two weeks visiting congressional delegations in Washington, D.C.

“Given the severity of this year’s drought on corn and soybeans, farmers need a farm bill decision now so we can figure out how to plan for next year’s planting season,” said Kevin Wilson, president of the Indiana Soybean Alliance. “The final bill should provide the kind of risk management tools – like crop insurance – needed to give farmers a safety net on years like this when it’s necessary and not on years when farmers fare well in regards to yield, price or both.”

Earlier this week USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack expanded the number of counties nationwide designated as primary natural disaster areas because of the worsening drought and stressed the importance of passing a farm bill as well.

“USDA officials are fanning out to affected areas, to let our farmers and ranchers know that we stand with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood,” said Vilsack in a news release on July 18. “And that is also why it is important that Congress pass a food, farm and jobs bill that ensures a robust safety net for producers in times of need.”

Vilsack also emphasized that only a very small fraction (about 14 cents) of every food dollar Americans spend in the grocery store actually goes to the farmer who grew the food.

“We want grain farmers to contact members of Congress weekly from now until a farm bill passes so they understand how important this new farm bill is to farm families because of the drought,” said Gary Lamie, president of Indiana Corn Growers Association. “We are disappointed at this point that the version of the farm bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee does not include a more viable market-oriented risk management program such as support for crop insurance in years such as this.”

Farmers can contact their legislators asking for a farm bill now by using the contact information below or visiting http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/:

•    Sen. Richard Lugar – 202-224-4814
•    Sen. Dan Coats – 202-224-5623
•    Rep. Pete Viscloskey (1st District) – 202-225-2461
•    Rep. Joe Donnelly (2nd District) – 202-225-3915
•    Rep. Marlin Stuzman (3rd District) – 202-225-4436
•    Rep. Todd Rokita (4th District) – 202-225-5037
•    Rep. Dan Burton (5th District) – 202-225-2276
•    Rep. Mike Pence (6th District) – 202-225-3021
•    Rep. Andre Carson (7th District) – 202-225-4011
•    Rep. Larry Buschon (8th District) – 202-225-4636
•    Rep. Todd Young (9th District) – 202-225-5315

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The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biodiesel, livestock, international marketing, new soybean uses, aquaculture, and research. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA’s 950 dues-paying members.

The ICGA board, which works with the state and federal governments to develop and promote sound policies that benefit Indiana corn farmers, consists of 15 farmer-directors who provide leadership to the organization on behalf of the nearly 600 ICGA members statewide.

This communication was NOT funded with Indiana corn or soybean checkoff dollars.