67 



STATEMENT OF DIXIE HENDRICKS, MEMBER, NATIONAL FAM- 

 ILY FARM COALITION, ALSO ON BEHALF OF DAKOTA RURAL 

 ACTION 



Mrs. Hendricks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Dixie 

 Hendricks. I am a farmer with my husband and family in the 

 northeast comer of South Dakota. I am testifying today on behalf 

 of the National Family Farm Coalition, a coalition of over 3 dozen 

 farm, church, and citizen organizations striving for revitalization of 

 rural America. 



I am also testifying on behalf of Dakota Rural Action, a South 

 Dakota-based membership organization of rural people working to 

 give people a voice in decisionmaking affecting our lives. Dakota 

 Rural Action is a member group of this coalition. 



The natural disaster of 1993 in the Midwest and the South is one 

 that is tough for most farmers to weather, coming out of a man- 

 made disaster of the Federal farm policies of the last 10 years. 



Most farmers who have survived the farm crisis have no margin 

 to fall back on this year to make up for the lost income due to loss 

 of crop or prevented farming. Here is where I will mention that the 

 Federal crop insurance program must be improved at this time in 

 order for us to rely on this management tool for our farm busi- 

 nesses. 



Today I would like to thank the Congress and President Clinton 

 who have authorized the 100 percent payback of the Federal farm 

 disaster formula, which covers our losses at about 42 cents on the 

 dollar. 



In the past, farmers have dealt with poor crop insurance and 

 have received only half of the disaster program payment which cov- 

 ered losses at only 21 cents on the dollar. Adequate disaster relief 

 will do more for rural America and Main Street than any major job 

 bill or employment package that Congress could pass. 



Now I would like to discuss the remaining Federal disaster pro- 

 grams and emergency programs. We see that our local ASCS offices 

 are making allowances for poor quality of our wheat, com, and 

 other grains; but have we taken into consideration and will this be- 

 come true of our alfalfa production? 



Our production was decreased in quality due to the high mois- 

 ture. No matter if we feed our hay to our livestock or whether it 

 is a cash crop for our producers, it is a loss of income. Hay is not 

 covered under crop insurance, and it should be. 



Attached to my prepared statement is the formula in which we 

 feel could be used for this hay quality adjustment. Some of our 

 ASCS offices have been telling farmers that they will have their 

 advanced deficiency pajrment deducted from their disaster pay- 

 ment. 



Yet, I know. Congress has passed a measure that requires a pay- 

 back not until after January of 1994. Dakota Rural Action and the 

 National Family Farm Coalition urges you to drop the repayment 

 requirements in their entirety. 



We also urge Congress to amend the disaster program to address 

 individual market differences for specialty crops. A person raising 

 specialty crops is paid based on whether the crop is conventionally 

 or organically marketed. 



