Hamp: Expiration Of the Farm Bill Hurts Us All

After the Farm Bill extension expired at the end of September, there was hope across farm country that a new piece of legislation would be crafted and approved before the end of the year.  At this point, it doesn’t appear the lame duck Congress will address the Farm Bill before breaking for Christmas.

Chis Hamp, President of the National Grange says many Americans don’t realize how the lack of a Farm Bill hurts everyone.  She noted the Farm Bill is so important for the entire country, economically, health wise, food security wise, that this is a devastating blow to farmers and rural communities.

“It's disappointing that this, what appears to be, the widening gap between the parties ability to find a bipartisan middle of the road approach has made its way to the to the issue of the Farm Bill and American agriculture.”

Hamp added what many people may not realize is the impact the Farm Bill has on rural Americans at or near the poverty line.  She said programs in the Farm Bill make it possible for millions of Americans to eat. 

“It's just one more thing that makes it difficult for a lot of folks to get up and get through their day. It's hard to do that when you're not eating properly and then just the stress of not knowing how you're going to put food on the table and provide for your family.” 

Hamp added the distances between grocery stores, and some smaller towns losing their grocery stores has created food deserts in rural America, making the Farm Bill even more important when it comes to addressing hunger.

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