‘Much Needed Support for Rural America’

Tom Sell, managing partner at Combest Sell and Associates, says the House budget proposal addresses long-standing needs for the farm sector. “GT (House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson) was able to do that while also trying to make investments that we’ve all been talking about the last three or four years in the farm safety net tied to crop insurance, even the conservation programs, and some research dollars were provided for the future and specialty crops.” With continued delays in passing a full farm bill, Sell believes this legislation could provide much-needed support to Rural America. “This is just kind of the next step in that,” he explained. “Can we in the future come back and do a full, complete, 12-title farm bill? Absolutely, but that takes a willing participation by everyone.”