Senator Reverend Warnock and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall sat down with Southeast AgNet Radio’s Dale Sandlin to talk about the prospects of a 2025 Farm Bill and the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policy

Senator Reverend Warnock on the Farm Bill: “I remain focused on supporting farmers in Georgia and across the Southern region. The Farm Bill is a tool that we need to get that done”

Senator Reverend Warnock on the Farm Bill: “Coming from Georgia, I understand the importance of reference prices. Math is math, we need a raise in reference prices, I’ve advocated for that for Georgia farmers”

Zippy Duvall: “It’s absolutely necessary that we get a Farm Bill and that we get it done now”

Washington, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke with Southeast AgNet Radio’s Dale Sandlin about the prospects of a 2025 Farm Bill and the Trump administration’s inconsistent tariff policy. The Senator shared his thoughts about the prospects of getting a Farm Bill this year.

“We need a Farm Bill and it’s something that I’ve been pushing for, for a long time…the Farm Bill won’t happen until after reconciliation and so I think what happens there in that piece of legislation will greatly impact the terms of the debate,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I remain focused on supporting farmers in Georgia, and across the southern region, and the Farm Bill is a tool that we need to get done.”

“It’s absolutely necessary that we get this done and get it done now. We have had two extensions, we’re in a Farm Bill that was created in 2018, and a lot of things have happened in agriculture, not just in Georgia, but all across America,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall, echoing the Senator’s comments. “With COVID, inflation, the cost of everything has gone up and reference prices – as the Senator referred to – does need some attention. Modernizing this Farm Bill will bring certainty to rural America and family farmers across the country.”

Senator Warnock acknowledged farmers concern about negative impacts of the current administration’s sweeping tariffs and stressed he will continue to advocate on their behalf to fight for Georgia farmers’ bottom line:

“I know how important trade is for our Georgia farmers,” said Senator Warnock. “The big problem with the tariffs is that it is creating a lot of uncertainty. And with that uncertainty it’s very difficult to plan any business in a marketplace that’s already very, very challenging.”

“Our policy at the Farm Bureau does not supports tariffs but we are encouraged that the president is trying to level the playing field and to open up markets,” said AFBF President Duvall. “20 percent of our farmers’ income comes from trade, and we need to have open markets across the world. Mexico, China, and Canada are our three largest trading partners. It’s not only just affecting farmers, it’s also affecting input costs, but it’s our job to be the voice of agriculture and we continue to work with senators like Senator Warnock and with the administration to let them know how they affect farmers so that hopefully they can either massage or exempt agriculture to the point where it won’t cause any collateral damage.”

As a veteran member of the Senate committee overseeing federal agriculture policies, and as a senator representing a leading agricultural state, Senator Warnock is a champion of smart policies that help Georgia farmers keep more profits in their pockets and keep the industry at the frontlines of Georgia’s economic success. Last year, Senator Warnock introduced the Southern CROPS Act, a comprehensive package of legislation to provide Georgia row crop farmers additional financial security to help farmers get ahead and remain on their land. Additionally, during last year’s Farm Bill negotiations, Senator Warnock pushed for a raise in reference prices for southeastern commodities. Senator Warnock has also used his perch on the Senate Agriculture Committee to fight for Georgia pecan and peanut farmers, including leading successful, bipartisan efforts to lower India’s tariffs on U.S. grown pecans by 70 percent. The Senator has continued to be outspoken about any concerning impacts President Trump’s inconsistent trade policy pose for hardworking Georgians and their bottom lines.

Listen to the conversation on the Farm Bill HERE.

Listen to the conversation on Tariffs HERE.

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