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Tennessee lawmaker urges special hearing on $430 million farm losses, cites tariffs
Summary
Representative Jones of Davidson told the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee that "Tennessee farmers lost $430,000,000" in 2025, called it a generational crisis and asked for a special hearing with new Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt; the chair did not schedule that hearing during the session.
Representative Jones of Davidson asked the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 23 to hold a special hearing after saying that "In 2025, Tennessee farmers lost $430,000,000." He described the losses as "a crisis that we have not seen in a generation" and urged the committee to bring in the new agriculture commissioner, Andy Holt, to answer questions and discuss relief options.
Jones said soybeans remain the state's top crop and told members that China was Tennessee's largest buyer of soybeans before what he described as reduced market access tied to "president Trump's tariffs." "As I traveled the state the past few months meeting with farmers, across the state, they are seeking substantial relief," Jones said during a parliamentary inquiry to the committee.
The request for a special hearing was made during the committee's opening and business items; Chairman Todd did not agree to schedule it during this meeting. The chair proceeded to introduce committee staff and review procedural rules instead of setting a date for additional testimony.
The exchange was largely a request for the committee to pursue further oversight and a public session with the commissioner; the committee did not take formal action on Jones's request before adjourning. No official estimate or staff-confirmed audit of the $430 million figure was provided during the meeting.
The committee adjourned after the chair completed opening remarks and procedural announcements; no vote or formal referral on Jones's request was recorded in the session's proceedings.
