NFU President Rob Larew Delivers Testimony to Senate Agriculture Committee, Highlights State of Agriculture and Policy Priorities for 2025

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union President Rob Larew this week testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to detail the current economic situation that family farmers and ranchers are facing.

President Larew emphasized the urgent need for a strong, fully funded farm bill in 2025 with policies to strengthen the farm safety net, invest in conservation and ensure fairness in agricultural markets. He also urged Congress to protect the Packers and Stockyards Act, support country-of-origin labeling and address trade policies that impact farm incomes. Discussing the uncertainty stemming from recent federal funding freezes, he stressed the need for clear, stable policies to support rural communities.

Here are President Larew’s full opening remarks:

“Thank you, Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar, and members of the committee. As a sixth-generation farmer from West Virginia, I am proud to be here representing family farmers and ranchers from across the country.

“According to the Census of Agriculture, we lost a staggering 140,000 farms in the last five years. The average farmer is now nearly 60 years old, and the next generation is too often locked out. The uncertain future of the farm and rural economy adds to anxiety in farm country. 

“At the same time, farmers and ranchers receive only 15 cents of every food dollar. Consumers are paying higher prices at the store, while family farmers and ranchers are dealing with tight margins, few market options and increased financial pressure.

“We must confront these challenges head-on. We applaud the committee for quickly taking action this year to hear from us. The stakes are high—not just for farmers and ranchers, but for all the communities that rely on us. Passing a strong farm bill is a great place to start. 

“We appreciated the efforts of Chairman Boozman and other committee leaders at the end of last year to ensure the passage of disaster and economic aid. We cannot afford a third extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. Congress must act quickly to pass a fully funded farm bill in 2025. This bill should strengthen the farm safety net and provide farmers with robust risk management tools, invest in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, support the next generation of farmers and keep the farm bill coalition together. But a strong farm bill alone is not enough—we also need open and fair agricultural markets.

“Farmers are the backbone of America, but too often we are being taken advantage of. As farmers we love competition, but often our only option is to buy from, and sell to, monopolies, resulting in higher costs, fewer choices and less innovation. We are not asking for a guarantee, just a fair shot.

“We have opportunities to make the system work for farmers, by protecting and strengthening the Packers and Stockyards Act, supporting mandatory country-of-origin labeling, like the American Beef Labeling Act, which was brought forward by Senator Thune, and ensuring farmers have the full and complete freedom to repair their own equipment.

“In addition to fairness at home, we must also consider fairness in global trade.

“American family farmers are often the first to suffer from trade disputes. Tariffs can be powerful when used in a smart way, but we’ve seen what happens when Washington gets it wrong: farm income drops, markets disappear, and costs go up.

“Congress should focus on expanding domestic and global markets, holding trade partners accountable and ensuring that trade policies are applied carefully to protect—not harm—American farmers and ranchers.

“Finally, recent executive actions are creating concern for farmers and communities—no one knows what funding will be available, or if key programs will have the staff needed to get funds out the door. Freezing spending and making sweeping decisions without congressional oversight just adds more uncertainty to an already tough farm economy.

“We encourage this committee to seek clarity from the administration and make sure farmers and rural communities aren’t left behind.

“The challenges facing family farmers and ranchers are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. A strong farm bill, fair markets and smart policies can ensure the next generation has opportunities in agriculture. Farmers Union is ready to work with you to make that a reality and deliver solutions that will give farmers a fair shot. The last few months I have traveled across the country visiting with family farmers about their challenges, and I look forward to sharing their stories as I answer your questions. Thank you.”