[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 25, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2503-S2504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Farm Service Agency

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
Michigan farmers. Agriculture is a vital part of Michigan's economy. In 
fact, Michigan is home to more than 51,000 farms that contribute over 
$100 billion to our Nation's economy. Michigan is also the second most 
diverse agricultural producer in the Nation, growing more than 300 
commodities, including a significant portion of our Nation's milk, 
corn, cherries, cucumbers, and much more.

[[Page S2504]]

  Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the Iciek Dairy Farm in 
Gladwin, MI. It was incredible to see firsthand how this family-run 
dairy has grown from a small farm of a few dozen cows to a large, 
modern dairy operation with 700 cows and seven full-time employees.
  Today, the Iciek Dairy works with the Michigan State University 
Extension program to help mentor new businesses and farmers who are 
just starting off with their own small dairy operation. Michigan's 
farmers and farmers all across our country feed our country and people 
around the globe, and we must do what we can to support them. Our 
agricultural businesses rely on the ability to access the resources 
they need to keep growing, creating jobs, and contributing to our 
economy.
  Access to these resources can be especially challenging for new small 
farm operations that are just getting started, including those small 
farms that make up 82 percent of Michigan's agricultural producers. 
Small farms that are just starting up or are facing tough economic 
conditions sometimes struggle to find and secure affordable credit. 
That is why I am working across the aisle with Senator Tillis to urge 
congressional appropriators to fully fund the Farm Service Agency loan 
programs as Congress considers government funding bills for 2018.
  The Farm Service Agency works with lenders to guarantee and deliver 
small dollar loans to the small farms that need them the most. When a 
farm has no other options, Farm Service Agency loans and guarantees can 
help farmers cover urgent operating costs for feed, seed, and 
fertilizer to get them through the season. Without these loans, farmers 
could lose their ability to purchase equipment and other necessities 
for the planting season and could be forced to curtail their 
operations.
  Currently, more than 2,300 farms in Michigan have Farm Service Agency 
loans totaling over $630 million. Across the country last year, the 
Farm Service Agency made and guaranteed a total of 39,650 loans 
totaling $6.3 billion. It is critical that Farm Service Agency funding 
reflect expected demand for loans so that small farms can continue to 
have this crucial lifeline.
  This program is in such high demand that just last year the Farm 
Service Agency ran out of money to finance its operating loans, 
including more than 1,000 loans that had already been approved for 
small farmers. This led to a backlog of loans, and farmers were forced 
to wait for months until Congress passed emergency funding to get the 
loans they needed for their day-to-day operations.
  Access to capital is critical across a range of businesses, but it is 
incredibly important to our farmers. They can lose out on an entire 
growing season if they cannot buy the equipment and the supplies they 
need while they wait for Congress to fund the Farm Service Agency.
  Today, ensuring that the Farm Service Agency has sufficient funding 
is even more critical, especially following President Trump's proposed 
$4.7 billion cut to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  Like our small businesses, students, and families, America's farmers 
deserve to have affordable loan options, and they deserve our attention 
and our support. I urge my colleagues to join me in asking for robust 
Farm Service Agency funding so we can continue to support our farming 
communities as they support and sustain us each and every day.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.