We Want A Farm Bill, Not A Band-Aid

Time is running short in Washington D.C. to pass a Farm Bill in 2026.  The House passed their version of the legislation earlier this year, but the Senate has failed to address the topic, after its Farm Bill legislation failed to clear the Senate Ag Committee.

And while lawmakers have approved $12 billion to help farm country face this challenging economy, Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers says producers need certainty.

“I know that the federal level is really trying to help farmers with subsidies during this tough time, but it's not an answer to everything, right?," Hennings said.  "It's a band-aid, so It's important that we just keep talking about what's happening at the farmer level and what they're seeing for the high [input] costs that they're seeing.”

Hennings said she plans on talking with lawmakers this month during a D.C. fly-in about Farm Bill, low commodity prices, high input costs, and other challenges dryland growers are facing.  She also encouraged farmers and growers to reach out to lawmakers and stress the importance of an updated Farm Bill for the entire industry.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com