The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released the unedited responses from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump to its questionnaire on federal agricultural policy. This initiative allows Farm Bureau members to directly compare each candidate’s platform. AFBF has been collecting and sharing responses from presidential candidates across parties for over 40 years to provide transparency on key agricultural issues.
Overview
Trump supports increasing commodity price supports, improving crop insurance, and focusing on innovation to keep ahead of China. He also pledged to lower energy bills and end Biden’s net-zero emissions policies.
Harris highlights the Biden administration’s initiatives to protect small farmers from unfair competition, citing Trump’s previous proposals for deep cuts to critical farming programs.
Farm policy and programs
Trump emphasized strengthening crop insurance and risk management programs, as well as supporting beginning farmers and ranchers. He highlighted his previous administration’s efforts, including signing a “massive Farm Bill” that improved agriculture programs and increased borrowing limits for farmers.
Harris focused on defending programs that allow farmers and ranchers to prosper, criticizing Trump’s proposed cuts to essential farming programs. She emphasized the importance of crop insurance and risk management tools.
Regulatory issues
Trump pledged to slash regulations that he believes stifle American agriculture and increase costs. He cited his previous administration’s efforts to cut regulations, claiming it saved farmers and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Harris committed to reducing excessive red tape while maintaining necessary protections.
Labor issues
Trump said he supports merit-based immigration.
Harris advocates for immigration reform to benefit the economy and farmers.
Environmental issues
Trump emphasized increasing ethanol production and reducing EPA regulations. Trump promised to end Biden’s net-zero emissions policies.
Harris underscored the importance of clean water and conservation efforts.
Trade policy
Trump promised to fight barriers to agricultural exports and highlighted his previous administration’s trade deals, including the Phase 1 agreement with China.
Harris vowed to stand firm against unfair trade practices, especially from China. She criticized Trump’s previous trade war, citing the costs to farmers and taxpayers.
Endangered Species Act
Trump suggested focusing on incentive-based programs for species recovery, criticizing the current law’s effectiveness.
Harris emphasized the need for cooperative initiatives that consider all Americans, including farmers and ranch owners, in conservation efforts.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
This is a pretty good list of issues that are important to farmers/ranchers. Ultimately, they will be the ones who decide which candidate’s responses will be best for their operation. These answers provide some good insight into how each candidate would govern. One appears to offer more specific and detailed answers, while the other is more vague and hedging their bet. Either way, the farm/ranch voters will have their say in November on which policies make the most sense to them. In either instance, your policy of supporting farmers/ranchers should be perfectly clear. Be sure to emphasize that you are a CAD member and only CAD members can offer all of the programs and benefits that non-CAD dealers cannot!
