U.S. Senator Ben Nelson says it may be difficult to keep some agricultural programs from being cut because of the federal deficit.
Nelson says hearings began Wednesday in Washington on the Food and Fuel Security Act. Nelson says it’s important that Congress not make cuts to the USDA rural development program, which he says Nebraska home owners, businesses, and communities benefited from last year. According to Nelson, Nebraska received $189 million in USDA rural development funds in 2011.
Nelson commented on the farm bill and agriculture committee hearings during his weekly conference call Wednesday with reporters. He says farm bill discussions should include crop insurance as a base for risk management. Nelson says Senators should also consider how alternative energy programs create jobs and economic stability in rural areas.