Farmers in Nebraska and across the nation might not be in panic mode anymore thanks to another extension of the farm bill, but they still want Congress to look past political divisions to ensure producers are getting the right support for the long haul.
As part of their budget deal to avoid a government shutdown, federal lawmakers also decided to keep the current Farm Bill, which technically expired in 2023, in place for another year. It usually is updated every five years.
John Hansen of the Nebraska Farmers Union says it’s a tough market right now, and they were happy to see economic and disaster aid included. But he says farming communities still feel overlooked.
“Those of us who represent agriculture see a deepening financial crisis that a lot of farm families are facing. And we look to Congress for relief,” said Hansen.
Hansen added that farmers are still largely working under 2018 spending levels even as their operational costs go higher. The National Farmers Union says it’s especially unhappy about a key provision kept off the table, which was granting nationwide year-round sales of E-15 blends of ethanol. It says it would open more markets for farmers. But there’s a broad range of opponents of that move, including the oil industry.
Hansen and other advocates hope a new Congress doesn’t fall into the same trap it did last year, calling for a permanent plan.
“As we look into the next year, we hope that the Farm Bill does not languish for another September 30th deadline,” Hansen said.
It’s uncertain how newly shaped agriculture committees, as well as the budget-cutting goals of a new Trump administration, will influence debate over certain elements of Farm Bill funding. That includes food assistance programs and conservation aid.
