Tate Bennett ,
April 17, 2025
America’s Farmers Support Greater Thought Leadership In Our Nation’s Capital
The American farm economy is in crisis. Over the past four years, farmers and ranchers faced a perfect storm of challenges: a lack of meaningful trade deals, burdensome regulations, and repeated natural disasters. In 2024, the U.S. agricultural trade deficit hit approximately $32 billion—and it’s projected to soar to a record $49 billion in 2025.
At the same time, commodity prices fell sharply from near 30-year highs (excluding 2012) between 2022 and 2024. Meanwhile, input costs surged by 30%. These economic indicators paint a troubling picture—one that clearly does not reflect policies that prioritize or support the American farmer.
To course-correct, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) launched its Farmers First Agenda on April 16, 2025. This bold initiative will mend the situation and guide our work to drive rural prosperity, right-size and reorient government, and generate responsible nutrition policy.
Before launching the agenda, AFPI surveyed more than 170 individuals involved in agriculture across 37 states and from both political parties. Their message was clear.
Farmers want to see additional representation and more pro-farmer and pro-rural America policies in our Nation’s Capital.
AFPI Farmer Opinion Study Results, April 10, 2025:
- Do you believe farmers’ interests are underrepresented in Washington, D.C.? 83% of respondents said YES
- Do you support more pro-farmer, pro-rural America thought leadership in Washington, D.C.? Such thought leadership includes expanding rural prosperity by cutting red tape, passing pro-farmer tax reform, and finding greater export opportunities for agricultural products.
86% of respondents said YES
To answer this call, AFPI has assembled a powerhouse team of rural policy leaders—true patriots with deep roots in American agriculture:
- Christie Mullin, Chair of Rural Policy
- Ambassador Kip Tom, Vice Chair of Rural Policy
- Sarah Frey, Senior Advisor for Rural Policy
- Tate Bennett, Director of Rural Policy
Together, this team is committed to delivering policies that reflect the needs and values of America’s farmers and ranchers—policies that finally put rural America first.