August 29, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 35
COALITION OF AG GROUPS TO PUSH FOR PASSAGE OF FARM BILL More than 40 agricultural groups have joined a coalition formed on Aug. 22 to encourage Congress to pass a new farm bill. The group, called Farm Bill Now, includes American Farm Bureau Federation, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and nearly 20 other commodity groups, along with a variety of other conservation, governmental and stakeholder organizations. On its website, http://www.farmbillnow.com, the organization stresses that the farm bill affects all Americans, regardless of whether they work in agriculture. “The farm bill has broad impact on our citizens and our economy. It provides healthy foods 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 need to get our nation’s fiscal house in order,” the coalition said in a statement, pointing out that the drought conditions this year have underscored farmers’ need for long-term certainty in federal farm policy. Representatives of the member groups discussed the Farm Bill Now effort on Aug. 28 during the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. The group has also planned a fly-in to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12, when representatives of its member organizations will communicate to members of Congress the importance of passing a new five-year farm bill. There are currently two farm bill proposals in Congress. Then Senate passed its farm bill version, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, on June 21. Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson both voted against the bill because it offered little protection for major commodities produced in Georgia. The House Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act, on July 11, but it was not brought to the full House for a vote before Congress took its August recess. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) voted for the bill in committee, while Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) voted against it. Georgia Farm Bureau supports passage of the FARRM Act, which recognizes agricultural diversity and provides a balanced safety net that covers a variety of commodities while accounting for regional differences in agriculture. The 2008 farm bill expires on Sept. 30, and Congress is required to pass a one-year extension if a new long-term bill has not been passed by that date. Congress is scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 10, leaving 13 working days to complete House passage of its farm bill and reconciliation of the House and Senate bills.