Calls Continue For Farm Bill Work To Start
More and more lawmakers are calling for work on the 2018 Farm Bill to start. In addition to Washington’s Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse, who have both said work should begin on the next Farm Bill, Wisconsin Representative Ron Kind, a democrat who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, says this is the time to address many ag programs, including MPP.
“Clearly the Milk Insurance Program did not work the way it was intended or envisioned. We’re going to have to go back and readdress that. I hope to see a strong conservation title to come out of this next Farm Bill, and good New Beginning Farmer program, so we’re assisting the next generation of farmers when it comes time for them to take over operations
Kind said he’s also like to see additional ag research dollars devoted to those programs to ensure the grow and prosper. He adds organic farmers deserve a seat at the table when it comes to negotiating the next farm bill.
“Organic farming is blossoming, we’ve got the largest organic co-op in the nation right in the heart of my congressional district, so I want to make sure there have a voice, they have a seat at the table and this Farm Bill gives us the opportunity to do that.”
The House Agriculture Committee will meet Wednesday, to hold a “stage setting” hearing for Farm Bill negotiations.
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a farm bill field hearing February 23rd in Manhattan, KS.
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