07/31/2026
Thanks to Congressman Smith and his team for taking the time to visit with rice farmers at Missouri Rice Council Chairman Rance Daniels' farm earlier this week.
Great Farmers Town Hall! I enjoyed joining members of the Missouri Rice Council for a Farmers Town Hall and fielding questions about the challenges and concerns they’re facing in today’s agriculture economy.
When you think of the Bootheel, rice farmers are one of the first groups that come to mind, which is why I fought so hard to include provisions that support them in the Working Families Tax Cuts. From the first increase in rice reference prices in nearly 20 years to making the small business deduction and 100 percent bonus depreciation permanent, these policies give family farms more certainty, which they need to reinvest, grow, and succeed.
While we know today’s agriculture economy remains challenging, we must continue advancing policy solutions that create sustainable, long-term markets, strengthen demand for American-grown commodities, reduce input costs, and help improve commodity prices so producers have the certainty they need to plan for the future. I will not stop fighting to ensure Missouri’s rice farmers have the resources they need, a level playing field in global trade, and the opportunity to compete and win.