There are 14.7 million acres of farmland cultivated by Indiana’s nearly 57,000 farming operations. Unfortunately, due to weather and shifts in commodity markets, the agriculture economy nationwide, including in Indiana, has trended downwards over the past several years."Every five years, Congress must pass the Federal Government’s primary tool for agriculture and food policy, the Farm Bill – in order to support our farmers and ensure critical agricultural and food programs are updated and reauthorized," says Susan W. Brooks.

With signing of the 2018 Farm Bill into law  by President Donald Trump, the law will strongly support Hoosier farmers by providing them the relief and resources they deserve "as they work hard to produce our food supply and ensure that it is safe, abundant and affordable."

According to Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks 97 per cent of farms in "our state are family owned and Indiana’s agriculture economy supports more than 107,000 Hoosier jobs."

There are 14.7 million acres of farmland cultivated by Indiana’s nearly 57,000 farming operations. Unfortunately, due to weather and shifts in commodity markets, the agriculture economy nationwide, including in Indiana, has trended downwards over the past several years.

"Every five years, Congress must pass the Federal Government’s primary tool for agriculture and food policy, the Farm Bill – in order to support our farmers and ensure critical agricultural and food programs are updated and reauthorized," says Susan W. Brooks.

She thanked many farmers from the Fifth District who have shared with her the importance of crop insurance, conservation programs, strong trade deals, and ensuring rural communities have the support they need. "I am proud the 2018 Farm Bill has been signed into law because it champions the needs of rural America and provides certainty to Hoosier families and farmers.

The 2018 Farm Bill:

*renews and protects crop insurance, a critically important safety net for Hoosier farmers;

*supports and enables significant investment in emerging conservation practices;

*reauthorizes crucial commodity programs including corn, soybean and other top commodities produced in Indiana;

*repeals the harmful and burdensome Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, providing regulatory certainty and relief;

*addresses the predatory trading practices of foreign countries, including retaliatory tariffs leveled by foreign governments like China, and strengthens promotion of U.S. agricultural exports through the Market Access Program (MAP);

*provides funding for animal disease prevention and management efforts, including the stockpiling of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine;

*helps rural communities to combat the opioid crisis;

*improves the efficiency and execution of federal efforts to expand broadband connectivity;

*is part of a comprehensive response to natural disasters, including provisions to support communities still recovering from the devastating impacts of the recent hurricanes and wildfires; and

*lays the groundwork for improved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Policy (SNAP) policy by focusing on improving program integrity;

During this holiday season, Susan W. Brooks said "I’d like to send a special thank you to every Hoosier farmer who works to feed and fuel Americans across the country. Without their tireless efforts, we would not have the reliable and safe food supply so many of us take for granted. So as you gather for your holiday meal, give thanks to the farmers who provide the food we are blessed to have. "