WASHINGTON – Alabama peanut farmer Garrett Moore testified on the financial struggles peanut farmers are facing, ranging from high input costs to natural disasters during a Senate Agriculture hearing.
Moore is a fourth-generation farmer from Chancellor in southeast Alabama. Moore represented the United States Peanut Federation during a hearing on farmer and rancher views. Moore appeared last week as one of the panelists detailing current farmers’ perspectives on the agricultural economy.
“I’ve witnessed my family’s many struggles on the farm over the past 29 years, and I’ve heard stories from before I was born that impacted generations of my family,” Moore, who farms 1,500 acres, said. “Since 2020 we have seen supply chain disruptions, inflation on key farm inputs, (and) labor shortages.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., introduced Moore at the hearing saying he was “grateful for the hard work Garrett has done to produce food and fiber for Alabama and advocate for our young farmers.”
Moore said since the 2018 Farm Bill passed, he has seen a significant increase in inflation. He said from 2021 to 2024, the total cost of production increased 20% per ton.
Congress passed the American Relief Act of 2025 in December and it extended the 2018 Farm Bill for one year. It provided nearly $31 billion in agricultural aid, including $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. The bill runs through the end of September. However, Moore said peanut farmers are still in need of support.
“Unfortunately, there will still be a deficit remaining for peanut farming,” Moore said.
Moore said many of his farm’s expenses have doubled since 2018, such as increasing fertilizer costs. He said this highlights the need for a new Farm Bill.
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, asked Moore what peanut farmers wanted to see in a new Farm Bill. Moore said they need an increase in reference prices and the chance to build base acres.
“We need a better and a more efficient safety net for us to be more profitable and have more of a safety net to secure some bad years,” Moore said.
Moore said he is proud to be a peanut grower who contributes to the nation’s food supply.
“I hope to continue my family’s farm for the fifth generation, which cannot be done without increased support for our industry,” Moore said.