U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith praised the enactment of the 2018 farm bill, which strengthens the safety net for Mississippi’s agricultural producers as they navigate market fluctuations amid trade tensions.
Hyde-Smith attended the White House ceremony at which President Trump signed into law the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, a five-year authorization of federal agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies. Hyde-Smith, as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, influenced policies in the measure, including commodity programs and crop insurance, rural development, rural health care, forestland resources, and chronic wasting disease.
“Producers in Mississippi and across the nation need this new farm bill to support their hard work to provide food and fiber for the American people and markets around the world,” Hyde-Smith said.
She said agriculture is the foundation of Mississippi’s economy, so getting these policies right for our producers is critical.
“It was also important to bring a new focus to the needs of rural communities to help them grow economically,” said Hyde-Smith. “I think this bill accomplishes that.”
She also added that she looks forward to the implementation of the improvements int his bill to ensure a solid safety net is in place to help producers navigate the challenges posed by inclement weather, market changes and retaliatory tariffs.
Highlights of the new farm bill include:
- Strengthening commodity programs and protecting crop insurance
- Streamlining and funding to agricultural trade promotion initiatives
- Meeting next‐generation rural broadband needs
- Dedicating funds for rural health projects aimed at fighting opioid and substance abuse
- Increasing funding for research, extension service, and education
- Focusing on animal disease prevention and management efforts
