Agriculture
As the U.S. Senate’s only working farmer, Jon knows that agriculture is the backbone of Montana’s economy.
Jon farms the same land in northcentral Montana that his grandparents homesteaded over a century ago, and he understands firsthand the challenges facing family farmers and ranchers.
As a member of the Senate’s Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Jon knows Montana producers need a Farm Bill that strengthens safety nets and allows family farms and ranches to survive periods of low commodity prices. The Farm Bill needs to be a tool that farmers and ranchers can use to increase competition in the marketplace, invest in new research, and increase access to ports along the northern border.
Jon is also fighting to expand access to markets so farmers can sell their products in countries like China and Cuba while maintaining and expanding market access in Mexico and Canada. Jon is committed to working with the Administration on trade agreements that meet the needs of producers while keeping jobs here in Montana.
Jon is also fighting to cut taxes for Montana’s farmers and ranchers, ensuring that they can keep their equipment up to date.
Above all, Jon is fighting to ensure Montana producers have access to the resources they need to grow their bottom lines, strengthen their communities, and pass down their operations to the next generation—just like Jon hopes to pass his farm down to his grandkids.
Related News
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January 5, 2021| View More
Tester Secures New Program to Cover Crop Quality Loss for Montana Farmers Impacted by Disasters
After securing $1.5 billion for farmers facing crop losses due to extreme weather and pushing for more than a year to get the relief into the hands of Montana farmers, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Quality Loss Adjustment Program, which will finally provide …
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December 16, 2020| View More
Tester Statement on Final Packers and Stockyards Undue Preference Rule
U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final Packers and Stockyards undue preference rule:
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December 11, 2020| View More
Tester Sends Critical Defense Wins for Malmstrom, Montana National Guard & Veterans to President’s Desk
The Senate passed key defense priorities today spearheaded by U.S. Senator Jon Tester as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 to support Montana’s military installations, servicemembers, veterans, and military families.
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November 18, 2020| View More
Tester, Fischer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Safety at Rural Train Crossings
Following a series of train accidents across Montana in the last year—including a fatal crash in Bainville in May—U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Deb Fischer (R-NE) today introduced their bipartisan Right Track Act to bolster train safety in Eastern Montana and other rural communities.
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November 16, 2020| View More
Tester, Stabenow Push to Address Veteran Food Insecurity by Urging VA, USDA Coordination During COVID-19 and Beyond
Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase coordination and take swift action to address …
