Minnesota State Wire

Brad Finstad, a representative from Minnesota, said that strengthening crop insurance through the FARMER Act will help protect farmers from unpredictable economic and environmental risks. The statement was made on X.

"From adverse growing conditions to market fluctuations, crop insurance is the #1 risk management tool that helps farmers protect against variables beyond their control," said Finstad. "I reintroduced the FARMER Act to help strengthen crop insurance. Make higher levels of coverage more affordable for producers."

In May 2025, the FARMER Act was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to improve crop insurance affordability and reduce dependence on emergency disaster aid. According to DTN Progressive Farmer, the bill increases federal premium support for Enterprise and Whole Farm policies—raising subsidies to 77% for 80% coverage and to 68% for 85% coverage—and expands the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) to 90% coverage with an 80% subsidy. The bill also mandates a review by the Risk Management Agency to assess SCO effectiveness in large counties.

In 2023, the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) supported over 2.1 million policies nationwide, highlighting its critical role in safeguarding American agriculture. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, indemnities paid under the program hit a record $19.1 billion in 2022, with most payouts concentrated in ten states and focused on four major crops. These figures reflect growing reliance on crop insurance as a buffer against climate and market risks.

Over the past decade, U.S. farmers have increasingly adopted risk management tools, including crop insurance and digital technologies. A report from the USDA Economic Research Service noted increased adoption of precision agriculture in row-crop production, though uptake varies by crop and region. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office found that 27% of U.S. farms used precision agriculture practices to manage risks in crop and livestock production.

Representative Finstad, a Republican from Minnesota’s 1st district, has a deep background in agriculture and rural policy. According to his official House biography, he served three terms in the Minnesota Legislature, led the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, and was USDA Rural Development State Director under the Trump administration. In Congress, Finstad champions pro-farmer policies, including co-authoring the FARMER Act to enhance crop insurance affordability.