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U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Minnesota Thursday to get the word out about new farm safety net programs for producers. 

The 2014 farm bill created separate risk mitigation programs that farmers must choose between. The 

 are aimed at helping farmers deal with disasters, sudden drops in crop prices and other problems.  

Vilsack said farming is among the most risky businesses but says it will be less risky under the new programs.

"It would not take but one or two really tough years for many farmers to be stretched if they didn't have a safety net; if they didn't have crop insurance," Vilsack said. "These programs keep them on the land, keep them producing, keep this country a food-secure nation, keep giving us this extraordinary diversity of food and the affordability of food."

The farm bill passed earlier this year discontinued automatic direct payments to farmers in favor of a system that helps farmers only when they need it. 

Farmers have until early next spring to choose which of the new programs work best for them. The new farm bill will remain in effect for five years.

Agriculture officials are encouraging farmers to research which new federal safety net program will work best for them. 

Congressman Collin Peterson, the Democratic lead on the House Agriculture Committee, says choosing which program to to enroll in is one of the most important decisions farmers will make. 

"People really need to focus on this and figure out what it is that's going to be the best safety net for them," Peterson said, "so that if something goes wrong, whether it's overall prices or whether there's a disaster, they've got a floor underneath this thing."

Environmental News

Elizabeth Dunbar

Author

The 2014 farm bill created separate risk mitigation programs that farmers must choose between. One is aimed at disasters and the other protects against sudden drops in crop prices.

Ag secretary says new farm bill programs will make farming less risky

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