KANKAKEE, Ill. — President Joe Biden joined USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 11 at O’Connor Farms in Kankakee to unveil provisions aimed at boosting food production amid the war in Ukraine and ongoing supply chain issues, including fertilizer shortages.

New measures announced by the president include a $250 million investment for a USDA grant program to boost domestic fertilizer production — doubling the government’s prior investment —and a push to expand federal crop insurance benefits for double cropping. Biden and Vilsack also announced an initiative by USDA to increase outreach to farmers, to streamline applications and prioritize application approvals for federal precision agriculture programs, according to the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB).

“We have to keep investing in our farmers to reduce the costs, to reduce prices to consumers and have the most productive, most efficient farmers in the world here in the United States,” Biden said.

The double-crop insurance benefits build on a previous policy introduced by the Farm Service Agency earlier in 2022, which was limited to a handful of counties across the country, including a few dozen in Illinois. The benefits will expand to include 681 additional counties, bringing the total number of counties to around 1,935.

“We look forward to the funding,” said Guebert. “It provides an opportunity for extra income on those acres.”

ISA board chairman Steve Pitstick, who attended the meeting, came away optimistic about the president’s promise to expand double-crop insurance. “ISA applauds the efforts being made by this Administration, specifically by Secretary Vilsack and USDA staff for reaching out to farmers across the country to hear what tools they need to increase double crop soybeans and wheat,” said Pitstick. “ISA encourages USDA to continue their aggressive outreach and collaboration to find double crop solutions that make an impact at the farm level and globally.”

The announcement comes as the administration is working to help farmers, American consumers and food insecure communities around the globe who are feeling the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noted NCA CEO Jon Doggett, who was present for the event. “American corn growers continue to feed and fuel the world even as they face challenges stemming from the war in Ukraine and high input costs,” said Doggett. “We’re appreciative of the efforts that President Biden and USDA are making to help farmers navigate these challenges, and the recognition of the key role farmers play in providing solutions.”

“There’s no doubt the issue abroad is devastating,” added Joyce (D-Essex), who also attended. “This is a global issue that needs our nation’s full attention. The state needs to take a hard look at increasing local production of these vital resources for the Ag community.

Kevin “KJ” Johnson, executive director of the IFCA, told Farm World he was pleased with the administration’s commitment to expand fertilizer production domestically but questioned how far $250 million would go. “It can cost more than $4 billion to build a urea plant,” he said. “We are concerned about how much of an effect and how quickly this aid can help alleviate the current situation, though we welcome this first step in the correct direction.”