Farm bill progress could come in the next month

WASHINGTON, DC – The next step in advancing the farm bill is imminent, according to a Congressional leader.

At the IFPA Washington Conference June 9, Senator John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says his committee plans to release the text of its version of the bill in the next week or two.

He also says he expects the Senate to vote on the bill before the Independence Day recess.

The U.S. House has already passed its version of the farm bill.

Boozman says its Senate passage will require a bipartisan effort, as it will take 60 votes to pass it out of the Senate, so it will need some Democratic support.

He says conference attendees can help the cause when they visit with Democratic Senators and their staffs this week to advocate produce industry positions.

“Farmers face unprecedented challenges now, and we’re reminded that food security is national security,” Boozman says. “We need help with Democratic Senators from you. We’re not going to have any growers if we don’t pass it.”

He says it’s critical for attendees from the agricultural sector to share their stories with their representatives.

“Agriculture is very well respected in a time when Americans have lost their faith in many institutions,” he says.

About a year ago, Congress funded agriculture with $68 billion to support various programs such as market access, research, and specialty crop block grants. Boozman said he considers that “farm bill one,” and now it must pass “farm bill two.”

“No one can share the experiences of American agriculture like you can,” he told attendees.

The Washington Conference runs June 8-10 and concludes with visits to Congressional offices tomorrow.