Congressional Candidates Talk Crop Insurance

Candidates for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat say this year’s wet weather shows why farm insurance is vital, and why Congress needs to keep an eye on recent changes to the Farm Bill. The candidates spoke today at the Indiana Ag Policy Summit. 

The latest USDA report shows a quarter of the state’s crops are in poor or very poor condition, largely because of the heavy rainfall over the last two months.

Former Congressman and Democratic Senate candidate Baron Hill says that proves crop insurance, which is subsidized by taxpayers, is crucial to keeping farmers afloat.

“Farmers take risks that nobody else takes," Hill said. "They’re dependent on the weather and a lot of other factors that increase their risk and having this protection in place is a wise thing to do.”

Republican candidates, including former State GOP Chair Eric Holcomb and Congressman Marlin Stutzman largely agreed, adding that Congress should keep an eye on the program this year to make sure it continues to work for farmers, even in bad weather years.