'Farm Bill Now' Coalition Unites Nation's Farm Groups

By CnAgri2012-08-23 19:46:41 Print

A total of 39 national agricultural organizations issued a statement Wednesday regarding the need for Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before current farm programs expire in September.

The coalition of groups, using the name Farm Bill Now, comprises associations and coalitions representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and biobased product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups, as well as the nation's two largest farm groups, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union.

Each organization has strong and distinct policy priorities, yet all 39 are committed to passing a new, comprehensive bill this year.

"Calling the farm bill the 'farm bill' suggests its impact is limited only to farms and to the rural areas to which they are so closely tied," the groups wrote. "While Congress waits to finish the farm bill, we are united in asking all Americans to encourage legislators--home for summer town hall meetings and speeches--to finish this vital legislation before the current farm and food law expires in September. After all, it's your bill too."

In addition to the statement, Farm Bill Now launched an interactive web portal at www.FarmBillNow.com, through which farmers and consumers can connect to their Members of Congress and show their support for a new five-year farm bill.

In the coming weeks, Farm Bill Now will hold events in Iowa and on Capitol Hill to further underscore the message.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 28, farmers representing multiple groups within the coalition will discuss the Farm Bill Now effort at the annual Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, the nation's largest outdoor farm show.

Wednesday morning Sept. 12, representatives of many of the groups uniting today will gather on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol to encourage Congress to pass the bill before programs expire at the end of the month.