A coalition of 39 groups is pushing Congress to pass a new farm bill before it expires on Sept. 30. It is also trying to raise public awareness of the need to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill.

Called Farm Bill Now, the coalition includes associations representing commodity crops, livestock, specialty and minor crops, energy and biobased product groups, farm cooperatives, and financial groups as well as the nation's two largest farm groups, American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union.

The coalition was launched Wednesday and plans events in Iowa and on Capital Hill to underscore its message that the farm bill affects every American. The farm bill is not just for farmers and rural America, it also affects jobs, food, conservation, research, energy, and trade, the coalition said in a press release.

"The farm bill has broad impact on our citizens and our economy. It provides healthy food to millions of schoolchildren and nutritious options to families in need. It develops and expands trade with valuable foreign markets. By reducing spending significantly compared to prior farm bills, the proposals pending right now in Congress address the needs to get our nation's fiscal needs in order," the coalition stated in a news release.

The coalition has also launched a website through which farmers and consumers can connect with Congress and make their voices heard.

 

For more information: www.FarmBillNow.com