WASHINGTON, D.C.—The field of support for the 2018 Farm Bill is bountiful with a dozen farming and ranching groups hailing this comprehensive legislation that will increase economic stability, protect animal health, and promote conservation reforms to preserve the farming way of life.
The House plans to take up this legislation this week, which sailed through the Senate in a bipartisan vote of 87-13.
Read below to see what leading agricultural groups have to say about the 2018 Farm Bill:
American Farm Bureau Federation- AFBF President Zippy Duvall
“This 2018 farm bill is a complete package – one that will serve all Americans. Farm and ranch families in particular will find a good degree of risk management support they need to help them weather the prolonged downturn in the agricultural economy that many of us are facing.”
…
“We are thankful the Agriculture committees have stayed true to their mission to serve the American farmer and rancher and our nation’s consumers. We call on Congress to pass the final bill, and we encourage President Trump to sign it.”
National Farmers Union- NFU President Roger Johnson
“Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill cannot come soon enough for American family farmers and ranchers, who need the certainty of the Farm Bill safety net to continue to weather the worst farm economy decline in more than thirty years.”
…
“Senate and House agriculture leaders and their staff have worked tirelessly to resolve differences in the chambers’ respective farm bills, and they’ve produced a bill that represents a critical step toward providing the relief and certainty farmers need amidst struggling markets due to oversupply and trade volatility.”
“Farmers and ranchers have seen their fair share of challenges in 2018 – from hurricanes, drought and wildfires to depressed commodity prices. The farm bill conference committee took a huge step today in helping them cope with these challenges by releasing a bipartisan package. We urge Congress to pass the farm bill immediately.”
National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)
“…timely reauthorization of the Farm Bill will provide effective, needed risk management tools to dairy producers across the country as we enter yet another year of uncertainty.”
…
“Dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own are enduring a period of prolonged economic distress.”
…
“…We commend you for your diligent work to complete this process this year, and we are thrilled to be on the cusp of enactment of a bipartisan, bicameral Farm Bill that will make significant improvements to dairy policy. We urge all members to vote YES on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2 and thank you for your work on behalf of America’s dairy farmers.”
The Nature Conservancy- Kameran Onley, director of U.S. Government Relations
“The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 is a win for the American farmer and the conservation of our country’s private lands. The bill’s much-needed boosts in funding for priority conservation programs, combined with important forestry provisions, will give farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners the tools to protect and conserve their land and their way of life. Lawmakers should be commended for their work to reach a compromise that will help keep our farms and rural communities productive and sustainable.”
National Association of Conservation Districts – Brent Van Dyke, President
“This is a great day for conservation on America’s private, working lands. NACD welcomes the continued investment in the Conservation Title and appreciates the consideration given to the overall conservation delivery system. With the continued effects of a recession in the farm economy, strong agriculture policy ensures a safety-net for America’s producers. We appreciate the members of the conference committee and their staffs for their commitment to bringing this important process one step closer to completion.”
“The voluntary conservation programs in the Farm Bill are vital to help protect our nation’s wetlands and wildlife. We congratulate the conferees on writing a bill that strengthens conservation on private lands and encourage Congress to pass this bill quickly.”
National Pork Producers Council – NPPC President, Jim Heimerl
“This is a huge win for the livestock industry. The ability to respond to foreign animal disease emergencies is critical to safeguarding the well-being of our animals, our economy and the safety of our food supply.
“NPPC supports the Farm Bill approved today by House and Senate conferees and looks forward to its swift passage in both chambers.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association- NCBA President Kevin Kester
“The release of the Farm Bill conference report is encouraging news for farmers and ranchers across the country. Now it is time for Congress to get the 2018 Farm Bill across the finish line. In these uncertain times, agricultural operations and rural communities depend on the certainty the Farm Bill provides.
“We ask Members of Congress to vote ‘yes’ and get the bill across the finish line before Christmas.”
Opportunity Solutions Project (OSP) – Vice President of Federal Affairs, Kristina Rasmussen
“With record low unemployment rates across the nation and millions of available jobs, reforms that promote work for more Americans have never been in higher demand. The farm bill is a positive step towards reducing dependency, but more must be done to ensure the food stamp program is returned to its intent as a temporary safety-net.”
“We encourage House and Senate leadership to quickly prioritize a vote on this important food, farms, and jobs bill before the end of the 115th Congress. NASDA’s resounding message to Congress this year was, ‘We need a Farm Bill!’ so we are thrilled to see the Farm Bill Conference Committee deliver on this call to action. As the end of 2018 looms, this new Farm Bill is critically important to ensure farmers, ranchers, and consumers don’t lose access to critical programs provided by the Farm Bill.”
Western Growers – Tom Nassif, President and CEO
“We are pleased that the farm bill negotiators have completed their task as the 2018 Farm Bill acknowledges the growing importance of the specialty crop industry to American agriculture and offers real progress on many of our top priorities, including funding for mechanization research and development, as well as improved access to crop insurance tools.”
…
“All in all, we applaud the committee leaders, conferees and staff for their diligence in producing a strong, bi-partisan farm bill, and we urge swift passage and enactment before the end of the year.”