The National Corn Growers Association applauded Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) for a letter they sent today to the U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraging the agency to allocate funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to support the creation of new and better market opportunities for farmers, as well as in-kind international food assistance.
“Cultivating new foreign markets is one of NCGA’s top priorities,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “So, we are deeply appreciative of Sens. Boozman and Stabenow for taking the lead on this issue. Both senators have proven time and time again that they are staunch advocates of corn growers.”
The letter provided a roadmap to USDA on how to fund market development programs and explore opportunities to advance food assistance initiatives.
“As Congress works toward reauthorizing critical programs in the Farm Bill, we continue to hear from organizations representing the vast majority of U.S. agriculture about the need to strengthen trade opportunities, increase revenue streams, and help producers grow and thrive in a global economy,” the letter said. “Farm Bill trade promotion programs help address these needs and build new markets. We believe that resources available under the CCC can support similar efforts to open accesss to markets and promote American-grown products abroad.”
The Commodity Credit Corporation funds are used by the government to implement specific programs established by or to carry out activities under the broad authorities of the CCC Charter Act.
NCGA has been calling on Congress to increase its investments in programs, such as the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program, which help grow foreign markets for American farmers.