President Joe Biden visited a local farm in Kankakee, Illinois owned by Jeff O’Conner to talk about the importance of American farmers in filling the supply shortage caused by the war in Ukraine.
“America is fighting on two fronts. At home, it’s inflation and rising prices. Abroad, it’s helping Ukrainians defend their democracy and feeding those who are left hungry around the world because Russian atrocities exist and the American farmers understand that Putin’s war has cut off critical sources of food. Ukraine was the world’s largest producer of wheat and corn and cooking oil, and our farmers are helping on both fronts-- reducing the price of food at home and expanding production and feeding the world in need. All our farmers, I want you to know, your congressmen, me, the Secretary of my cabinet, we have your back.”
Biden spoke on the importance of extending crop insurance coverage to include double cropping.
“We are reducing the red tape so it’s easy for farmers to conserve inputs and double-crop. Double cropping comes with some real risks. Growing season for wheat is short. If the weather conditions aren’t ideal, then the timing of everything is thrown off. But it’s a risk we need to take. That’s why my administration is looking at how to extend crop insurance coverage to give financial security to farmers like Jeff, who practice double-cropping...”
Farm Bureau thanked the President for his actions to boost planting but says there is no magic bullet to bringing down food or farmer costs.
Related:
Biden administration to spend $670 million on international food aid
Environmental group targets crop insurance
What to keep in mind this growing season when it comes to crop insurance