Former Farming Leaders Warn of Widespread Collapse

Retired agriculture executives call on Congress to take urgent action to address crisis in the industry.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A group of former farming leaders have sent a letter to members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, warning of a potential widespread collapse in the agriculture industry if immediate action is not taken. The letter outlines their significant concerns about the dire state of America's farm economy and calls on lawmakers to intervene before it's too late.

Why it matters

The farming industry is a critical component of the US economy, providing food, jobs, and economic stability for rural communities. A collapse of the agriculture sector could have far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to the food supply, job losses, and economic hardship for millions of Americans. The former farming leaders are sounding the alarm in hopes of spurring Congress to enact policies and programs to support struggling farmers and ranchers.

The details

The letter, signed by multiple former executives and leaders in the farming industry, cites a number of factors contributing to the crisis, including low commodity prices, rising input costs, extreme weather events, and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argue that without swift and substantial intervention from the federal government, many family farms and agricultural businesses will be forced to shut down, leading to a 'widespread collapse' of the industry.

  • The letter was sent to members of Congress on February 3, 2026.

The players

House and Senate Agriculture Committees

The congressional committees responsible for overseeing and legislating on issues related to the agriculture industry.

Former Farming Leaders

A group of retired executives and other prominent figures from the farming and agriculture sectors who have come together to sound the alarm on the industry's current crisis.

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What’s next

The letter urges Congress to hold hearings and work quickly to develop and implement policies and programs to provide emergency relief and long-term support for struggling farmers and ranchers.

The takeaway

The warning from these former farming leaders underscores the dire straits facing the agriculture industry and the need for decisive action from policymakers to prevent a potentially catastrophic collapse that could reverberate throughout the US economy.