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Rural Development, Support for Farmers Key Takeaways

(L to R) Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)

Agriculture and rural development have historically been arenas in which policymakers work across the aisle to support America’s farmers and rural communities. In July, Center Forward hosted its inaugural Agriculture Summit, a half-day policy conference that highlighted Members of Congress, Administration officials, and congressional staff who are committed to continuing this tradition of bipartisan cooperation.

The Summit kicked off with a discussion of the increased use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies within the agricultural sector to increase yields and reduce costs for farmers. Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Members of the Bipartisan Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence, provided insights into how these innovative applications are revolutionizing the agricultural landscape, making farming more efficient and sustainable. The session, moderated by Center Forward Advisory Board Matt Paul, highlighted the importance of bipartisan support for technological advancements that benefit farmers nationwide. “Thanks to Center Forward for hosting the Agriculture Summit,” said Rep. Kat Cammack. “We had a lively, important discussion about the future of agriculture and the intersection of technology and AI, which will become increasingly critical in the future. I’m grateful to my colleague Rep. Pettersen for joining and providing her perspective during our conversation and look forward to continuing to work together.”

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), who represents and is an alumna of the Univerity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, spoke about the vital role public universities play in supporting agricultural research. As centers of innovation and knowledge, these institutions are essential for driving progress in agricultural practices and technologies. Representative Budzinski spoke about the need for continued investment in research to ensure that America’s standing as the world leader in agricultural innovation is maintained. “Agricultural research drives innovation that supports American farmers, lowers costs for families and bolsters our competitiveness on the global stage,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “It was great to join Center Forward for a bipartisan conversation about how we can strengthen partnerships between universities, industry and government and continue to make breakthroughs that benefit researchers, farmers and consumers alike.”

Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) and Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) joined forces to address the many challenges farmers face and the importance of expanding the farm safety net. In their remarks, they underscored their commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers by bolstering crop and livestock insurance protection and expanding the definition of “beginning farmer” from five to ten years of experience. These policies are personal to Representative Brad Finstad, who is a fourth-generation farmer and plans to pass down the family business to his children. Representative Angie Craig expressed her dedication to legislating on agricultural policy in a bipartisan way, “Thanks to Center Forward for including Rep. Finstad and I in a productive Agricultural Summit. I’ll keep working in Congress to find bipartisan solutions that strengthen the farm safety net and give family farmers the support they need,” said Rep. Angie Craig.

USDA Assistant Secretary Adrienne Wojciechowski joined Center Forward to share an update on the Adminstration’s efforts to support America’s farmers. Beyond this year’s Farm Bill, these leaders have been invested in making rural housing more affordable, improving access to nutritious foods, and making agriculture more sustainable. Adrienne also discussed the Administration’s position on the Commodity Credit Corporation, which has been a flash point in this year’s Farm Bill negotiations.

In the last panel of the day, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry professional staff member Kyle Varner offered insights into current challenges and opportunities within agriculture trade policy. Kyle touched on the different approaches to tariffs that impacted the trade of commodities and contextualized the U.S. agricultural trade deficit, noting the continued strength of agriculture exports.

Center Forward’s inaugural Agriculture Summit served as an important platform for bipartisan conversations about how to support America’s farmers and advance the country’s agricultural sector. The conference underscored the enduring tradition of bipartisan cooperation in the agriculture and rural development space, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing the interests of farmers, researchers, and consumers alike.