WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today reintroduced the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act. This bipartisan legislation would help beginning farmers and veterans receive more affordable crop insurance protections by increasing and extending the beginning farmer and rancher crop insurance premium discount from five years to 10 years. The bill would also align the beginning farmers crop insurance programs with the United States Department of Agriculture’s other beginning farmer programs.

“Investing in future generations of farmers and ranchers is critical to growing South Dakota’s agriculture economy and supporting rural communities,” said Thune. “Crop insurance is the cornerstone of the farm safety net, and I’m proud to lead this legislation that would improve its effectiveness for beginning farmers and ranchers by providing more affordable options during their first 10 years of operation.”

“Even under the best of circumstances, starting a farm means taking on a great deal of risk,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will support these new farmers, along with our nation’s veterans, by ensuring that they have access to affordable crop insurance. Expanding this successful program will provide needed certainty to farmers as they continue to build their farms and grow their businesses.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.).