National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Conner is optimistic about the upcoming farm bill debate but is concerned about the lack of activity. Conner says Congress is consumed with the debt ceiling issue. “It’s sort of taken all the oxygen out of the room. By the time that’s resolved, I fear the clock may just be working too much against us to get the farm bill done this fall or even by the holidays.” Farm bill priorities for the farm cooperative organization include strong commodity and crop insurance titles. Climate-smart agriculture is also part of the discussion. “I’ve been working hard to really try and get agriculture out front of this climate debate in a way that is very very pro-farmer.” The NCFC annual meeting was held this past week. Labor shortages were a top issue at that meeting. Conner said labor is the reason many farm cooperatives have postponed plans for expansion.
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