In May, as most of the PCG area was engulfed with planting, PCG was actively present and engaged when the House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and his team passed out the bipartisan “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024” out of committee. We were proud to be part of this process, as the House Ag Committee’s version was strong policy for the farming community.

Aside from our traditional D.C. meetings and political based events we participate regularly, PCG was proud to participate in a conglomerate D.C. fly-in organized by the National Cotton Council. PCG, along with South Texas Cotton & Grain Producers Association, Southwest Council of Agribusiness and other commodity groups and agriculture interest coalitions swarmed Capitol Hill in September to stress the need for a new and improved Farm Bill. We stressed the need to address the needs of today’s agriculture landscape and the need for economic assistance to bridge the financial hardship the industry has been facing. Our producers were able to share the hardships they have experienced on the third consecutive year of natural disaster and economic impediment when it comes to cost of production versus marketing prices.

We’ve participated in multiple media interviews, written and signed on to numerous letters, advocating for producers at every turn. Our goal this year has been for Congress to prioritize our farmers to ensure our overall continuance as an industry.

Moreover, we continue in tandem with industry partners to work toward support that helps producers in a way that complements cotton infrastructure providing natural downstream cotton industry segment support.

Economic assistance for 2024, natural disaster assistance for 2023-2024 coupled with an extension of the current Farm Bill will all come to a head soon. But until then we will continue to be aggressive and fierce to ensure Congress understands and recognizes the need to protect the agriculture industry — the backbone of America.