Bonham – When crops fail in rural Fannin County, area farmers are impacted and the local economy suffers. However, the current Farm Bill allows for crop insurance to serve as a safety net for farmers in order to prevent such losses.

“After last year’s drought, we saw a lot of areas of Texas hurting,” said Jerry Magness, Fannin County Farm Bureau president. “Thankfully, farmers had crop insurance, which allowed them to keep going for another year.”

It also allowed communities like Magness to fight off tough economic times, Magness said. Businesses were able to keep doors open because farmers were able to pay for goods and services, thanks in part to crop insurance payments after agricultural losses.

Now Washington lawmakers are debating the details of the 2012 Farm Bill, which is expected to include crop insurance provisions. Farmers like Magness are worried that some legislators could take too large of a bite out of crop insurance programs.

“Crop insurance is survival during bad times like last year,” he added. “No farmer wants to depend on this, but when dealing with the uncertainties of weather and other risks, a safety net is needed.”

Citizens are encouraged to contact their representatives and senators in support of federal crop insurance programs.