Congress are scrambling to pass new farm legislation. While a new farm bill is still far from settled, it is almost certain that women and low-income single mothers will feel a significant financial pinch when a new bill is passed.
For more than a year, the farm bill has been stalled in Congress due to disagreements over spending cuts. In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans have agreed to reduce food stamp spending, and conservation program funding, and have eliminated direct payment farm subsidies. While Republicans in the House of Representatives broadly agree with this plan, they are insisting that the amounts cut be increased significantly.
Whatever bill is finally passed, it is all but certain that women and single mothers will be hurt by the new farm legislation. The reduction of food stamps, for example, will disproportionately hurt single mothers (adult women make up about 62 percent of food stamp recipients and children make up about 45 percent of all participants).
Conservation cuts will also hurt female farmers more than their male counterparts given the fact that more than 55 percent of conservation related land retirements are done by women.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmloans.com.
Follow us on: Twitter
Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer