Mitchel’s annual Dakotafest is back, and in its opening days it offered educational conversations and U.S. congressional delegation updates.
The South Dakota Farm Bureau hosted a panel discussion on farm bill status, agricultural market access and trade, biofuels, and labeling.
The state’s congressional representatives led the conversations on how these subjects are being handled at the national level. One of the largest points of concern for the audience that gathered is the future of the Farm Bill.
The bill has 12 chapters or “titles” which have been heavily debated on both sides.
Rep. Dusty Johnson said South Dakota can be a leader in biofuels if changes are made to the bill.
“So many of these dollars like the 40B Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit, they are largely unutilized because great, environmentally friendly farming practices that are in place, are not good enough to qualify for those dollars. The credit expires at the end of this year, it’s hardly been used. It’s an example of where the ideas of folks in the administration wrote what good farming practices should be, are totally disconnected from actual reality,” said Johnson.
Sen. John Thune and Sen. Mike Rounds agreed with Johnson on changes that they say are important aspects of each title of the Farm Bill.
Thune said he isn’t new to the complexity of the Farm Bill and hopes to be a part of making changes for those farmers impacted.
“Rest assured in one thing, agriculture is always front and center on our agenda. I’ve been involved now with a number of Farm Bills and I hope to get this one done. But, we are going to work very hard to make sure your voice is heard. Thank you for rolling up your sleeves and doing the work that inspires us to keep working out there to make sure we have good policies and keep agriculture prosperous and passable to the next generation. That’s what keeps this country and this state going,” said Thune.
The delegates responded to crowd questions and offered ways in which they plan to approach national issues with South Dakota’s needs at the forefront of their minds.
