WE'VE GOT A PLAN: WE NEED YOU TO BE A PART OF IT!

Lindsay Mitchell

Nov 06, 2012  |  Today's News

The end of the election signals a new beginning for America.  Either we begin with a new administration or the same administration with a different Congress, but we open a new chapter tomorrow.  ICGA has a plan for the new chapter.   Will you help us write it?

Starting tomorrow, your elected officials start thinking about what will be accomplished when they head back to Washington, DC.  We can look forward to a decision on the Renewable Fuel Standard waiver by the US Environmental Protection Agency.  There could be some discussion of how the fiscal cliff will be addressed.  But we must remind our elected officials that they MUST pass a Farm Bill when they return to the Capitol.

IL Corn’s ‘new chapter’ does not include writing a Farm Bill in 2013.  We are planning to pass one before the end of 2012. There’s a lot to lose if it waits until next year.

A toll-free number has been established for this purpose. Dial 888-WHY-CORN to reach the U.S. House of Representatives switchboard. Ask the operator for your Congressional office. That’s 888-949-2676. Call and tell your Congressman you need a Farm Bill Now. During the Lame Duck session. It can’t wait until the new Congress.

Starting tomorrow morning (the day after the election), you have to get on the phone.  You must explain the value of the farm bill to your Congressman.  You have to tell him how you rely on crop insurance to stay in business every year and that you being in business another year yields food security for all Americans.  You’ve got to describe the devastation you could have seen this year without risk management programs for your neighbors.  For yourself.

Prepare today.  The need will arrive tomorrow.

  1. Crop insurance kept thousands of farmers in business this year after they lost their entire crop to the historic drought.  What would Americans think of their economy next year without a couple thousand farmers?
  2. Without federal government backing, crop insurance would not be available for you or your neighbors.  Private industry cannot manage the risk level associated with Mother Nature.  Similar to flood insurance, many of you have chosen crop insurance because it makes sense for your farm, and you can’t get access to crop insurance without federal government support.
  3. Yes, the indemnities for crop insurance this year will be significant.  However, crop insurance is performing exactly as it was designed.  Farmers who had better luck with other crops or because they were in a good area, won’t have a claim.  Farmers who do have a claim, have paid into the system for a long time.  Years like 2012 are why crop insurance exists.  The system cannot be penalized for performing as it should.
  4. CROP INSURANCE AS YOU KNOW IT WILL DISAPPEAR IN 2014 WITHOUT A FARM BILL IN 2012.

Can we count on you?  Will you call?  888-WHY-CORN

Please be a part of our plan.  Please guarantee that a farm bill is passed in 2012.