BAY MINETTE — Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, along with Emma Johnston from Tuberville's office, gathered at Coastal Alabama Community College to invite citizens of Bay Minette to share their thoughts and concerns on the impending farm bill on Aug. 1.

The farm bill, a package of legislation passed every five years, has an impact on farming livelihoods, food production methods and the types of food grown in the country. This bill specifically aims to address crop insurance for farmers and enhance healthy food access for low-income families.

Tuberville highlighted the crucial role played by farmers, especially small farmers, nurseries and those in the seafood business, stating, "Farmers are the most important people in this country. We need to make sure that in the farm bill, which will last five years, we have an opportunity to answer some questions and cut back on the problems that you have."

During the discussion, attendees voiced their concerns about labor issues, particularly the difficulty in hiring American workers. One attendee expressed reliance on the H-2A program and worries that changes to the program might affect their business and increase labor costs. Responding to the concern, Johnston said the farm bill is addressing rising input costs for producers.

"One of the main things we are looking to address in this farm bill is rising input costs for producers. Since President Biden has taken office, there has been production expenses of over 28% increase in the past two years, that is the largest increase in history," she said.

Under the H-2A temporary agricultural program, agricultural employers facing a shortage of domestic workers have the opportunity to recruit nonimmigrant foreign workers to the United States. These foreign workers are hired to perform agricultural labor or provide services of a temporary or seasonal nature.

Pate and Tuberville stressed the importance of addressing issues facing the Alabama agriculture community, leading Senator Tuberville to introduce the Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act, which would establish safeguards for foreign purchases of American farmland.

The 2023 farm bill priorities include protecting crop insurance and farm safety net programs, increasing reference prices, addressing rising input costs, extending and funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, supporting USDA broadband programs, and prioritizing working land conservation programs.

With this farm bill set to be put in place within a year, Tuberville and Pate encouraged citizens to actively participate in the discussion to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed in this critical legislation.

"This is not just a labor problem or a forestry problem," Pate said. "This is an American problem." The commissioner assured attendees that he and his team are collaborating to ensure that the upcoming 2023 farm bill tackles every concern and problem brought to the forefront.