Farmer testifies Families Tax Caught Act will give family farms "stability, longevity and opportunity"

A fifth‑generation farmer from Applegate, Michigan testified to the House Committee on Natural Resources that the Families Tax Caught Act would provide ‘‘stability, longevity, and opportunity’’ for family farms and small businesses by making some agricultural tax cuts permanent.

The farmer said permanence in the tax code allows producers ‘‘to make better decisions long term’’ and to ‘‘mitigate risk’’ across seasons and years. ‘‘Because we've made these tax, cuts permanent in agriculture, we can make better decisions long term,’’ he said, adding that the law builds a foundation for investments in bio‑based materials and biofuels.

In his testimony the witness described his family operation as a five‑generation farm and noted personal stakes: he has three children, two sons‑in‑law who also farm, and two grandchildren. He said leaving the farm to testify was difficult but necessary to press the case that the tax provisions will create opportunities for future generations of farmers.

The speaker also warned that not all issues have been resolved, describing agriculture as having ‘‘a roof [that] is leaking a little bit’’ and urging continued policy work to shore up remaining gaps. He cited the potential for new incentives in the corn sector and other domestic opportunities that could follow from the law.

The testimony was delivered as part of a committee hearing; no formal vote or committee action on the item was recorded in the provided transcript. The record notes gratitude to congressional staff and members for passing the measure and expresses interest in working with lawmakers on further agricultural policy improvements.

The committee did not take a vote on the farmer’s remarks during the transcripted segment; next procedural steps were not specified in the provided record.