• Farm groups push for new farm bill
• Significant water and sustainability issues at stake
• Diverse coalition from across the country demands action

July 31, 2024 — The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and over 500 diverse groups are pressing Congress to pass a new farm bill, highlighting the growing frustration over delays. The current farm bill, enacted in 2018, is outdated and fails to address today’s pressing challenges, including water issues crucial to agriculture.

Urgent Call for a Modernized Farm Bill.

In a unified letter to Congress, representatives from agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and environmental sectors emphasized the farm bill’s critical role in producing food, fiber, and fuel, and supporting sustainable solutions for clean air and water. The letter stated, “Millions of Americans rely daily on the provisions of the farm bill… to voluntarily conserve fish and wildlife and their habitat; to provide sustainable solutions for clean air and water.”

AFBF President Zippy Duvall stressed the urgency, saying, “When more than 500 groups – many of which typically have competing agendas – come together and speak with one voice, it clearly demonstrates the urgency and importance of passing a new farm bill.”

Impacts of Relying on an Outdated Bill.

A recent analysis by AFBF economists highlighted significant risks if Congress fails to pass a new farm bill. The outdated 2018 bill could lead to a weakened farmer safety net, reduced funding for sustainability, and erosion of U.S. leadership in agricultural research. Duvall warned, “If Congress fails to pass a new and improved farm bill, they will be responsible for leaving farmers in a lurch at a time when we’ve lost more than 140,000 family farms in just five years.”

The analysis revealed the urgent need to modernize reference prices, essential for compensating farmers during market downturns. Despite some adjustments, current prices lag behind production costs, emphasizing the necessity for updated legislation.

Diverse Coalition Demands Action.

The coalition urging Congress to act includes signatories from across the country, including from the Colorado River Basin States, representing various interests, from farm credit services to environmental conservation groups. They collectively voiced concerns about further delays, especially with the farm bill’s extension expiring in September.

In their letter, the coalition underscored the importance of bipartisan cooperation, stating, “As committed stakeholders and beneficiaries of the farm bill, we cannot continue to wait for updated policies, provisions, initiatives, and critical funding that support our collective interests.”

The message is clear: passing a new, modernized farm bill is essential not only for addressing current agricultural and environmental challenges but also for ensuring a sustainable future for America’s farmers and families.

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