Down to the Wire on the Farm Bill

September 28 update - it looks like the 2014 farm bill expire - read more about it here on the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's very excellent blog update.  We will have more on this site as events transpire... 

September 23 update - The 2014 farm bill's package of programs and funding expires in one week, on September 30.   The 2018 farm bill moved ahead, with bills passing both houses of Congress this summer.  Conference committee met in early September,  you can watch the video here.  But then, Hurricane Florence caused Congress to evacuate and delayed further work, so now things are really down to the wire.  The bill on the Senate side does a good job of maintaining a strong conservation focus, but the House bill is not so good in this regard.  This makes the work of the conference committee crucial.   Now is a good time to contact your Representative in Congress and tell them that our country needs a farm bill that is strong on conservation and protects our water resources!  

THE FARM BILL IS A major legislative package that deals with U.S. Department of Agriculture programs ranging from food safety, trade, nutrition support and subsidies for farmers. Similar bills have been passed approximately every five years since 1933. The active version of the law, passed in 2014, expires on Sept. 30.   (For more information on the content of the Farm Bill, read our blog post here.)

(Photo from Minneapolis Star Tribune Dec 17, 2017.  

The 2018 Farm Bill is in the works.  LWV UMRR is following this progress, and has signed on to letters urging Congress to improve the conservation titles in the Bill.  This bill is at a pivotal stage now - read about it here on the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's blog.   It's a good read, detailed and with clear explanations.    

Timing is critical - conference committee members have been assigned and it is expected that they will meet before the August recess, with a goal of getting a bill to the President for signature before the end of the Federal fiscal year on September 30.  ​