Here is an ongoing roundup of responses to President Donald Trump’s federal budget proposal, which was released Tuesday, May 23.

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance:

“We are very disappointed to see the President’s budget, released yesterday, call for draconian cuts, or even total elimination of programs that are important to the specialty crop sector. Eliminating programs that are critical to developing domestic and international markets for specialty crops, such as the Specialty Crop Block Grant program and the Market Access Program, seems to indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of what policies are needed to help specialty crop providers create their own success. These programs are investments that return far more value to the economy, job market, and agriculture sector than their costs. We will work vigorously with our industry partners to make sure the Administration understands the challenges our industry faces so that we may work together to develop policies that help, not hurt, America’s specialty crop producers.”

Crop Insurance Services:

“Weakening crop insurance and making it more difficult for farmers to bounce back during tough times will jeopardize rural jobs and will find little support in rural America or on Capitol Hill. The rural economy is already suffering through a period of low prices and a multitude of spring weather disasters. Yet, the Administration’s budget proposal targets the primary tool farmers use to handle these risks.

“Lawmakers favor crop insurance because it reduces taxpayer risk exposure and has come in under budget since the 2014 Farm Bill was passed. Farmers are willing to help fund their own safety nets – collectively spending $50 billion out of their own pockets on crop insurance since 2000 – because they know private-sector efficiency will speed aid when it is needed most.

“Destructive cuts to crop insurance have been proposed by past Administrations and soundly rejected by Congressional leaders, who recognize the importance of maintaining a strong farm safety net. We fully expect that to be the case again this year, and we are hopeful to engage in meaningful dialogue about how to support America’s hardworking farmers and ranchers in difficult times like these.”

If you represent a tree fruit- or wine grape-related group and would like to share your group’s reaction here, please send it to marcus@goodfruit.com for consideration.