'Tis the season for agriculture, baseball and Mother Nature

The following is a news release and letter to the editor from the Illinois Farm Service Agency.

SPRINGFIELD -- What do agriculture, baseball and Mother Nature have in common? Any farmer or rancher will tell you, without hesitation, that in the competitive industry that is agriculture, Mother Nature ALWAYS bats cleanup, and nine times out of 10, she bats for the opposition -- she'll make or break you every time.

To date, crop year 2011 has been exceptionally tough for our farmers and ranchers. That which isn't drying up from drought, burning up in wildfires or blowing away in tornadoes is being swept downstream by torrential flooding. It's an unfortunate reality that somewhere in the U.S., this very minute, a farmer or rancher is battling the elements -- and as most agricultural producers know all too well... you win some and you lose some. So what happens when you lose?

Prior to the 2008 farm bill, a row crop or livestock producer was at the mercy of lawmakers to approve ad hoc funding for emergency disaster assistance. It literally took an act of Congress for USDA's Farm Service Agency to get much-needed recovery assistance to producers affected by natural disasters. The process was tedious, time-consuming and budget-dependent.

Fast forward to 2008 when Congress passed legislation providing for five "permanent" disaster assistance programs -- the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program, SURE; Livestock Indemnity Program, LIP; Livestock Forage Disaster Program, LFP; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, ELAP; and the Tree Assistance Program, TAP -- all administered by FSA.

So, how "permanent" is permanent? The truth is, these disaster assistance programs are only "permanent" for the life of the 2008 farm bill. As of Sept. 30, the legislative authority for these five programs expires and they will, in essence, cease to exist.

What does this mean to you, the producer?

It means that, although we hope a farmer or rancher never requires disaster assistance, no industry is more vulnerable to nature's wrath than agriculture, and the odds are, if you're in the industry very long, you will indeed experience your fair share of setbacks -- compliments of Mother Nature. Permanent disaster legislation offers producers some peace of mind that, in time of need, FSA can be immediately responsive.

To date, row crop and livestock producers nationwide have received more than $2.9 billion in assistance from FSA for qualifying losses resulting from natural disaster. These dollars are, in turn, pumped back into the rural economy as producers purchase inputs, hire contractors or procure whatever is necessary to get back on their feet and back to the business of farming and ranching.

There's no doubt that, as Congress begins to craft the next farm bill, disaster programs will be a significant topic of discussion. The weather events of 2011 will be in the forefront of the minds of lawmakers as they gather 'round the table to hash out future farm legislation.

The faster a producer recovers from a natural disaster, the better for everyone -- including the consumer who can continue to enjoy the abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber that we, as Americans, have come to expect.

So, when it's bottom of the ninth, Mother Nature steps up to the plate with bases loaded, and she knocks one out of the park, make sure disaster assistance legislation is in place to level the playing field. And, never forget... USDA's Farm Service Agency is always on YOUR team.

Respectfully submitted,

Scherrie V. Giamanco
State Executive Director
Illinois Farm Service Agency

[Posted June 07, 2011]