WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) today sent a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms to the farm safety net as family farmers and ranchers face mounting economic pressures.
In the letter, NFU President Rob Larew warned that worsening market conditions, rising costs, and global instability are threatening the viability of family farms across the country.
“Farmers and ranchers are facing a perfect storm,” said Larew. “Incremental improvements are not enough. Farmers need a reliable, long-term safety net that keeps pace with rising production costs and reduces the need for repeated emergency bailouts.
“Input costs are rising while commodity prices remain low, leaving many producers operating on razor-thin margins. Without meaningful reforms, we risk losing not only today’s family farms, but the next generation of producers who depend on a stable agricultural economy.”
NFU highlighted several troubling trends affecting the farm economy:
- Farm bankruptcies rose by 46 percent from 2024 to 2025
- Farm debt levels are at record highs
- Ongoing global conflict is driving volatility in fertilizer and fuel markets
- Trade disputes have weakened export demand and increased price uncertainty
- Severe drought conditions threaten yields in multiple regions
Over the past decade, more than $100 billion has been spent on ad hoc disaster and emergency assistance programs for agriculture. This reactive approach creates uncertainty for producers and taxpayers alike and underscores the need for structural reform.
NFU urges lawmakers to consider innovative policy solutions such as the Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool (IMSET). The proposal is a voluntary, incentive-based program designed to both improve soil health and provide stronger income protection during market downturns.
NFU called on Congress to act decisively this year to strengthen and modernize farm programs, establish a more predictable disaster assistance framework and ensure that federal policy supports family farmers rather than accelerating consolidation.
“The future of family farming is on the line,” Larew said. “We need bold action now to build a safety net that works for farmers, rural communities and the nation.”
Read the full letter here and learn more about NFU’s approach to strengthening the farm safety net here.
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