As a fourth-generation wheat and cotton farmer from Altus, Oklahoma, passing a meaningful farm bill in 2024 is critical, not only to my operation but for producers throughout the United States.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to expand my family’s operation and proudly continue our farming legacy. Farming is in my blood and is what I do. That is why I have become involved with state and national organizations to advocate for policies that support farmers and rural communities.
My role as president of the National Association of Wheat Growers has allowed me to take this mission to the national level. I was in the nation’s capital along with producer leaders from other commodity associations urging members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass a bipartisan farm bill this year that strengthens the farm safety net.
Since the farm bill process kicked off, NAWG’s No. 1 priority is protecting crop insurance, which serves as the cornerstone of the farm safety net. Due to the increased production costs and worsening economic conditions in farm countries, lawmakers have an opportunity to strengthen the farm safety net by investing in crop insurance and commodity programs.
Over the course of the last farm bill, wheat growers have experienced a wide range of challenges, from drought, market volatility, trade disruptions, and supply chain disruptions. By investing in crop insurance and the commodity title, lawmakers can help make these programs more effective, efficient, and responsive to natural disasters and market challenges that are outside of producers’ control.
My farm is a great demonstration of the challenges that farmers face when it comes to extreme weather.
In the past few years, with Oklahoma having varying degrees of ongoing drought, the crop insurance program has been critical in meeting these challenges and is the primary component of the farm safety net for most producers. It provides a certain degree of financial stability based on an individual's own farm productivity and incorporates a current pricing mechanism to better protect the financial bottom line.
Additionally, we were fortunate to have had disaster assistance to help get farmers through this challenging time, but strengthening the farm safety net can deliver more reliably and efficiently provide beneficial assistance. I have heard from producers across the United States about the need to make this important program more affordable—particularly in areas where the higher levels of coverage are unaffordable.
Given the enormous challenges facing wheat growers, we need to strengthen the farm safety net as Congress considers reauthorization of the farm bill this year.
There are real world consequences for wheat farmers if we don’t get a farm bill done this year. These programs provide vital financial protection to farmers from significant drops in crop prices or revenues and are critical economic safety nets for most farmers in Oklahoma and across the country. Oklahoma cannot afford to take that risk.
Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., must hear from wheat growers directly. There is no time to waste when it comes to getting a bipartisan, long-term farm bill across the finish line that makes a meaningful investment in the farm safety net. We need a farm bill that works for farmers and rural communities across the country. When our farmers and rural communities succeed, everyone succeeds.
Keeff Felty is a fourth-generation family farmer near Altus, Oklahoma. His farm consists of approximately 6,700 acres of cotton, wheat, sesame, and pastureland. He has a master's degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University.