I am pleased to announce that direct farm economic assistance as modeled after the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (FARM Act) has been signed into law, marking a significant win for rural America and the backbone of our nation - its farmers.

This critical funding provides emergency relief to farmers facing unprecedented challenges, including inflationary pressures. For too long, our farmers have been asked to do more with less, feeding America and the world under increasingly difficult circumstances. This assistance ensures they have the support they need to keep growing, producing, and feeding our nation.

I am grateful to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Chairman GT Thompson, and the entire Republican leadership for their tireless efforts to champion this vital legislation. Additionally, this was made possible by the steadfast support of my colleagues to prioritize the needs of our farming community.

This economic assistance addresses the immediate needs of farmers while laying a strong foundation for future discussions in the 2025 Farm Bill. Congressman Kelly introduced the FARM Act in response to the dire economic situation faced by farmers nationwide.

Matt and Tanner Knight are the owners of Knight Farms in Bellefontaine, located in Webster County. The Knights manage 2,000 acres, growing cotton, sweet potatoes, and corn. Matt, who grew up working on the family farm, began farming full-time after graduating from Mississippi State University in 1995. He recently completed his 30th crop, while Tanner finished his second crop about a month ago. Tanner is the fifth generation to work on the farm. "It's rewarding," he said. "You never know what you're going to get into."

The Knights have always operated exclusively as a cotton farm, but about 15 years ago, they diversified into sweet potatoes. "I was raised on cotton, but every year the commodity gets lower while the costs of chemicals and equipment continue to rise," Matt said. "No one can grow just cotton anymore." 

To harvest their sweet potatoes, the Knights hire about 45 H-2A workers, and the costs associated with that labor rises each year. "The ground will only do so much."

Despite the challenges, the Knight family remains committed to farming, a tradition they will continue to pass down to future generations.

Watch the video HERE.

Today, we honor Mississippi Army National Guard Veteran Judge Harold Holcomb. Judge Holcomb joined the National Guard in 1973 and was based in Fulton in the Cavalry Scouts division. He served more than 20 years, during which he was activated and trained for Desert Storm and served in Germany for NATO's Reforger mission. "It made me feel like I was serving my country and doing whatever was necessary to preserve our freedom," he said.

Born and raised in Fulton, Judge Holcomb served in law enforcement with the Fulton Police Department for seven years. In 1988, he ran for Itawamba County Justice Court Judge and has held the position ever since. Judge Holcomb has served both his country and his county with distinction. "I don't regret one minute of being in the Mississippi Army National Guard," he said.

Thank you, Judge Harold Holcomb, for your dedication to our great nation. 

We are proud to spotlight Dr. Douglas Davis, owner of Yokna Bottoms Farm in Oxford. Doug moved to Oxford in 2007 to work at the University of Mississippi as an associate professor of educational leadership in the doctoral program. During Doug's 18-year career at Ole Miss, he served as the director for K-12 leadership.

Doug grew up engaged in farming, as both of his parents were raised on family farms. "It's something I've always liked to do," he said. He started Yokna Bottoms Farm in 2009. The 39-acre farm grows a variety of high-value vegetables on a local scale and employs two full-time workers, as well as three to eight temporary workers in the summer. Many of the employees are Ole Miss students. "We like to hire college students because they get the chance to learn about our work and they enjoy it," he said.

The farm's primary revenue comes from sales at local markets. Doug also serves on the Oxford Community Market Board and has a partnership with Ole Miss Dining Services. Through this partnership, they operate a food truck on campus to provide students with locally-grown and prepared food.

Justin Wooten is in his third year of teaching at West Point High School. He began his teaching career five years ago when many teaching opportunities became available in Mississippi during the COVID-19 pandemic. After taking several social studies courses in college, he chose to teach U.S. Government, Economics, and law-related studies. "Students need to know how the world works and how the government functions," he said.

Justin takes pride in building relationships with his students and preparing them for college. "I get the opportunity to impact and change their lives," he said. "That's the best part of the job." Justin takes a special interest in ensuring his students understand the government at the federal, state, and local levels. 

In addition to his role as a teacher, Justin serves as the head coach of the Ladies Powerlifting Team and is also a football coach. We are grateful for educators like Justin who make a difference in the lives of Mississippi's youth.

More great economic news for Mississippi's First District. Stark Aerospace, a defense contractor in Columbus, is expanding to support a U.S. Navy contract that will create 96 new jobs. The contract facilitates production of missile canisters. Construction is projected to be completed within the next year. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to advocate for Mississippi's defense manufacturers, ensuring our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to defend America.

A disaster aid package is widely expected. Most sources do not think there will be agreement on boosting reference prices via a 2018 Farm Bill extension. Reason: Costs. Sources do think some economic aid will be cleared but the dollar level is murky... some say it could total up to $9 billion. That would be a cutback from levels via a bill introduced by Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.).