Murphy, King, Pingree Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Protect Small Farmers From Financial Risk

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Angus King (I-Maine) on Thursday reintroduced the Agricultural Management Assistance Act to reauthorize and improve the Partnership for Risk Management Education and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) programs, which help farmers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing, or conservation practices. AMA programs are only available to 16 states that have historically low rates of participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program, including Connecticut and Maine. U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The Agriculture Management Assistance Act would boost funding for the AMA to $30 million, increase funding limits for farmers to $200,000 over five years, and expand the eligible uses for these funds to include: soil health improvements, composting, implementing organic farming, and food safety certification in addition to existing authorized uses such as water management structure and soil erosion control.

"Connecticut's small farmers are really important to the diversity of our state's food supply, but they face unique challenges, especially as climate change worsens," said Murphy. "Our bill provides small farmers with the support they need to navigate financial risks and invests in making their farms more resilient and efficient in the long term."

"Maine's farmers are the backbone of our rural communities, and they deserve the same safeguards and assistance that we provide other industries across the country," said King. "The Agricultural Management Assistance Act will help ensure that Maine farms have the tools they need to manage financial risks, handle nature's evolving challenges, and continue to produce the food that supports our local economies and families."

"Farmers in Maine and across the country are facing unprecedented uncertainty-from extreme weather and rising costs to volatile markets. Programs like Agricultural Management Assistance give farms the tools they need to manage risk, invest in soil health and conservation, and keep their operations viable for the long term," said Pingree. "I'm proud to partner with Senators Murphy and King to strengthen this program and ensure farmers in states like Maine have the support they need to adapt and thrive."

Full text of the bill is available HERE.