[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6167841,"mediaKeyId","5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623","parentId",5410101,"title","Members, lenders respond to FRAME Act proposal for tax‑deferred farmer savings accounts","audioSeconds",161,"startMs",2867000,"endMs",3028000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623&start=2867&end=3028","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623/thumbnail_2867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167841/Members-lenders-respond-to-FRAME-Act-proposal-for-taxdeferred-farmer-savings-accounts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167841-3108a44f6138703bb8c8184da5d376b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511573&Signature=CpundU7rj9D5Qi0LF9IFVR678VfxdYMSui1gNhUGi2lbWLR7pPXkapQh8geZ5cw157Qf4fZCalNas2cR-JfMotJCkN8nOPLYI3Fhx6WtPdcMDav1tvuR35kVRY4CSRPuwtaRpxqPPLkD4p0udLY51ALqMk85quyjiW81KxaIWRfAfTdQ2oDwGVJyTcMJtnNOV18vS3WpIIOK8jVFXGuDauc~wmf834MdnNZewDGbI7-CHMk9t-A7yKBSDgjSUGL2vS5z-Ep-LN6M-4bC~vfy2iDlypFdUqXcLay3HJ2dcNX4N6iPvYdqAurqiNAfc6dWrAjkgzPFv4qHIUpm9fJVHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Agriculture","date","2025-07-17T07:28:06Z","article","Representative Crawford introduced the concept behind the Farm Risk Abatement Mitigation Election (FRAME) Act, describing it as a tax‑deferred savings account that would allow farmers to deposit funds tax‑free during profitable years and withdraw them tax‑free during hard years.

Clint Hood, senior vice president at Synovus Bank, welcomed the premise but raised operational questions: would FRAME accounts be considered on‑balance‑sheet for lenders, and would saved funds be subject to seizure? Hood said, “If it's an on balance sheet, savings account, then I say, heck, yeah. We'll just put that as a it's not that dissimilar than a CD,” but added banks need clarity because “these farmers need all capital they can get right now to qualify for loans.”

Other lenders agreed conceptually but emphasized implementation details that would determine usefulness for underwriting and collateral. Brian Gilbert said the idea could be workable if the account could be used to collateralize operating loans or be structured so banks can recognize the funds in credit decisions. Witnesses offered to work with the member to refine statutory language and safeguards.

Why it matters: a tax‑preferred reserve could give producers a voluntary tool to self‑insure and improve balance‑sheet resilience, but lenders said its value for credit access depends on treatment in bank underwriting and legal protections.

Ending: Members asked staff and witnesses to continue technical work on account design and legal treatment; no vote or bill text was enacted at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Financing Farm Operations: The Importance of Credit and Risk Management","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Crawford described the FRAME Act, a proposal to create tax‑deferred savings accounts for farmers to build reserves for downturns; lenders welcomed the idea but asked for clarity on whether accounts would be on banks' balance sheets and usable as collateral.","taxTitle","Agriculture: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1977,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6167846,"Panelists urge broader, simpler crop‑insurance tools for specialty crops and livestock",2562,1372000,3934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623&start=1372&end=3934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623/thumbnail_1372000.jpg","/articles/6167846/Panelists-urge-broader-simpler-cropinsurance-tools-for-specialty-crops-and-livestock","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167846-b231628729583a0c7c176dacfc912e60/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511573&Signature=E7xSPvBz35P6Iw1ETb6h0~HC5jwNIkxKs5dwS5FhYT3kHb7FhJkGgYdv7d8VHTXNNjAakzSu87W2qLkuPYzjGD0ESFGgi2yniRYABXkEGckC9X-2jZaYIUog3~GHg45AZ0t4dojmsd2ciOXgsu~ADWfp0RkqzWxETDbonaQAgbtedRagFrTOGmehQVMjcmCAAfVVzdoOFwCu12Pyt1SsGj-bQmkc2Qcu0eVuqU3ch4EgevJHim0yKcXDob8IgLTKAZJPXRcleDsMUDwz8qzquGydy8Zjj~y-iZ1A~H2RJJxtSo2BhWzOG1m~pc6ezeHT4Lxd06nfR3PQj51G6-aQWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Witnesses at the House Agriculture subcommittee hearing said federal risk‑management programs remain critical but need adjustments to serve a broader set of commodities and producers.

Mandy Minnick, senior vice president at AgWest Farm Credit, praised Whole Farm Revenue Protection and micro‑farm policies as “instrumental” for specialty crops—examples she cited included apples, grapes, wasabi and kiwi berries—but said those policies are complex and some crop insurance agencies are unwilling to buy or administer portfolios because administration is time‑intensive. She told the committee that “if producers can't access them, then it doesn't support that.”

Brian Gilbert of First National Bank described the importance of USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection program and a bank‑owned crop insurance agency that helps clients tailor risk strategies. He said the Livestock Risk Protection program’s delayed premium payment structure for some contracts has been “really beneficial.”

Committee members and witnesses raised reports of private insurers declining to offer coverage in perceived high‑risk areas and noted that while recent budget and policy measures provided some relief for insurance providers, access gaps remain—especially for geographically concentrated specialty crops and one‑off commodities such as oysters. Minnick urged streamlining administrative processes, expanding commodity coverage where warranted, and ensuring agents remain compensated to sustain service availability.

Why it matters: crop insurance and related USDA programs are underwriters of credit; gaps in coverage or agent capacity can translate directly into limited borrowing capacity or higher costs for producers.

Ending: Witnesses recommended targeted program adjustments—broader commodity eligibility, simpler administration, agent retention incentives, and monitoring for insurer withdrawals—so crop insurance continues to enable credit and market participation for diverse producers.","Speakers told the House Agriculture subcommittee that Whole Farm Revenue Protection, micro‑farm policies and USDA livestock programs help producers, but complexity, agent capacity and insurer pullbacks threaten access for specialty and high‑risk crops and livestock producers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6167850,"Lenders, producers press Congress to raise FSA loan limits and speed guarantees",1091,1657000,2748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623&start=1657&end=2748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623/thumbnail_1657000.jpg","/articles/6167850/Lenders-producers-press-Congress-to-raise-FSA-loan-limits-and-speed-guarantees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167850-7ea33947938033bcaaab2beb1630744e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511573&Signature=gmHWHQ2LES~FMTTJNMnafYrPxK03FFkreKZ6GzmM3NsWsUNKKkSOAzuRPzJAbqkIzklzglXx~EkzNi-vo5~DTpGMwL4F9BYFJwODBBd1EokZ2tDSvLf0BPYUy~nKSeFIxv7qqCGPNQxKC7vl-jRe1VoSsVSM84B87NN4E05CjK09y4xAty0K3aCFHJF726eCrjrSw7n5qS8D3kK5S8yAi1MufeVO4Oz1EA9vNgexyM5cdGCXGsIxPX19UTJwucimMn2hSSIlY0Ui3lILGumravwn~EIHhD-pqeVZuJk8OnFk2Emjw8ZtnH-~dfO0W1Fptt2ODX~BTmSLp4Bg0fph1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lenders and a producer told the House Agriculture subcommittee that Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan limits and processing times are constraining access to credit for beginning and expanding farmers.

Brian Gilbert, senior vice president and ag banking manager at First National Bank in Sioux Falls, told the panel that higher USDA guaranteed loan limits are needed to match current land values and production costs and described support for “$3,500,000 for ag real estate loans and $3,000,000 for guaranteed operating loans.” Gilbert said he uses FSA guaranteed loans and that joint financing—where FSA covers part of the financing—has expanded in recent years and helps beginning farmers enter the market.

Multiple lenders described delays in FSA approval as a practical barrier. Gilbert said non‑preferred lenders report approval times of “30 or 60 or 90 days,” which is slow relative to market timelines. Mandy Minnick, senior vice president at AgWest Farm Credit, said preferred‑lender status helps but “it can still take quite a long time for [loans] to come back from FSA,” especially when loans approach program limits and trigger additional review.

Several witnesses recommended an “express loan” concept modeled on SBA’s express program: lenders would accept a reduced guarantee in exchange for quicker approvals for loans up to $1,000,000. Brian Gilbert and other lenders said they would accept a lower guarantee if the tradeoff were faster decision times. Lenders also asked FSA to allow bridge or interim funding so banks can close on a land purchase and then refinance into an FSA loan, noting current FSA rules in some areas prevent that approach.

Why it matters: witnesses and members tied loan limits and timing to succession and competition for land. John Wicks, a fourth‑generation farmer from Montana, said FSA programs “made a big difference” in his ability to buy equipment and take over family land, but he described long approval timelines and recommended preapproval to avoid being outbid during lengthy debt approvals.

Members pressed for specific fixes. Chairman Scott said staff will identify whether proposed changes are legislative or regulatory and “follow up on that.” No formal committee votes were taken at the hearing.

Ending: Lenders asked Congress to raise FSA loan limits, streamline approvals for preferred lenders, consider an FSA “express” option, and change procedures to allow bridge financing followed by FSA refinance; staff follow‑up was requested.","Lenders at the House Agriculture subcommittee urged higher Farm Service Agency loan limits, faster FSA guarantee timing and regulatory changes to allow bridge financing so beginning farmers can compete for land and expand operations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6167855,"House subcommittee hearing emphasizes need for durable farm bill safety net",4473,380000,4853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623&start=380&end=4853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410101-fe4b58bfd73c1bcb75417bd126bd5623/thumbnail_380000.jpg","/articles/6167855/House-subcommittee-hearing-emphasizes-need-for-durable-farm-bill-safety-net","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167855-ee8d09115462af9955266747ee1c67d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511573&Signature=YSvXoCQ9aI7tUd1tYBFyTJNHZhFVvbCm4HZmzrKI~1gZfw~77FI-qx1EXAr1ZmtgYMMRtQOY0KzeQzdcgc1ftkixYMsJm7YEbVsuBnaTGLysY75rzQkFONVkQJU6kaTt~rL9pX8Th1Ir7p48bvF~bKNqd8dia~9favaq5AHrc30rM14ryfH3kWr2cp81mnV~wm4KXqoasbHH8rjgwgB-RJUnfrPkauEt3hFinr14csOomGA1eXxYIwG7FCpkn3e-ny-op4xF7GQdMKcPOGlg33gpBlqvi-OX9IHlx5~J7Ejf2Fmp5KTST9YhyS40FjZSA36uItcZJjIvRXxNj0sWsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Scott convened the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management hearing titled “Financing Farm Operations: The Importance of Credit and Risk Management,” saying, “If we don't support today's farmers, there won't be a next generation ready to step in.”

The hearing brought together agricultural lenders and a producer to describe how rising input costs, lower commodity prices and market volatility are straining farm balance sheets and credit access. Ranking Member Davids said Kansas producers face high input costs, higher interest rates and market uncertainty and called for a strong safety net that “is accessible, and that it's responsive to the needs of the folks making use of them.”

Why it matters: witnesses and members repeatedly framed the farm bill as the central federal policy tool that underpins affordable, reliable credit for producers. Clint Hood, senior vice president and director of the Ag and Timber Group at Synovus Bank, told the subcommittee that farm bill programs and lending tools like crop insurance “work hand in hand to help farmers withstand downturns.” Hood also noted roughly $130,000,000,000 in ad hoc assistance has flowed to producers in the past six years, calling that assistance “no substitute for a durable, predictable safety net.”

Witnesses urged Congress to finalize a multi-year farm bill that modernizes credit titles and risk management programs. Mandy Minnick, senior vice president of stakeholder relations at AgWest Farm Credit, said federal crop insurance and stronger FSA guaranteed-loan programs are vital, particularly for specialty and beginning farmers. Brian Gilbert, senior vice president and ag banking manager at First National Bank in Sioux Falls, urged higher USDA guaranteed loan limits to reflect today’s land values and production costs.

Several witnesses also raised related concerns: modernizing Farmer Mac, ensuring Farm Credit System proposals do not disadvantage community banks, and retaining recent Packers and Stockyard Act rules. John Wicks, a fourth‑generation Montana farmer and owner of Timber Ridge Organics, described how Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans and storage facility loans enabled his operation and urged Congress to adjust loan limits and streamline processes for succession and debt restructuring.

The chair closed by saying staff will check which recommendations are legislative and reported the hearing record will remain open for 10 days for additional materials.

Ending: The subcommittee did not vote on any measures at the hearing. Members and witnesses emphasized legislative fixes—chiefly passage of a modernized farm bill and reforms to FSA loan programs—are needed to reduce reliance on ad hoc aid and to preserve farm credit access.","Chairman Scott and witnesses told the House Agriculture subcommittee that a predictable farm bill and risk management tools are essential to maintain credit access and keep family farms viable amid low commodity prices and high input costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Members, lenders respond to FRAME Act proposal for tax‑deferred farmer savings accounts

Panelists urge broader, simpler crop‑insurance tools for specialty crops and livestock

Lenders, producers press Congress to raise FSA loan limits and speed guarantees

House subcommittee hearing emphasizes need for durable farm bill safety net