Grain industry leaders in Oregon, Washington and Idaho wrote a letter to President Obama opposing his proposal to cut payments to farms with revenue over $500,000.

“The purpose of the five-year Farm Bill is to provide stability for producers, agricultural operations and our nation’s food system,” the letter stated. “We believe it’s unwise and unacceptable to dismantle this critical piece of legislation before it has even had a chance to be fully implemented.”

This change would effect over 1,200 Oregon farmers. “The premise is that USDA farm dollars would be going to those who are most in need of money,” Jane Harden, the executive director of the Umatilla County Farm Service Agency told The East Oregonian. “But $500,000 is not much money- it’s actually a very small dollar amount.”

Many expect the proposal to not pass because 50 Congress members already signed a letter opposing it. “Direct payments are necessary to shore up the operating loans needed to make a farm work,” Tammy Dennee of the Oregon Wheat Growers League added.

Denee said the purpose of the letter wasn’t to stop the proposal, but better inform the president of the impact this decision will have. “It’s our opportunity and challenge to help Congress and the new administration understand the interdependence of these programs and how they are viewed in the countryside by growers and their bankers.”

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