AFBF Working On 2018 Farm Bill Ideas

The American Farm Bureau Federation is already working on ideas for the next farm bill.   AFB is putting together some early policy ideas in anticipation of testimony before the House and Senate Ag Committees as early as next spring.  AFBF’s senior director of congressional relations, Mary Kay Thatcher says  the 2018 Farm Bill must look different from the 2014 Bill.

“We’ve heard from our dairy folks that they don’t think the new programs that were put in to affect are working for them.  Fairly low participation in both programs, and most folks, again, feeling like they don’t provide an adequate base.”

The biggest challenge in writing a new Farm Bill, the lack of funds.

“I think one of the biggest issues we’re going to face in the next Farm Bill, we’re going to have less money to write the Farm Bill then we had when we wrote 2014.  Prices are going to be much lower than they were then.  When it’s a tough time and we need additional dollars, we going to have to find a way to do it with fewer rather than more.”

Thatcher added it’s important farmers, growers and ranchers contact their congressional members and share their thoughts on the upcoming Farm Bill.

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