BRUNDIDGE, Ala. (WTVY) – With just weeks left in the current U.S. legislative session before taking a break for the 2024 presidential election, Congress is facing a critical agenda.
On this list: The Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill is typically renewed every 5 years. In November 2023, the 2018 Farm Bill was extended through September 30, 2024.
Mere weeks away from the expiration, Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on the bill.
With the Congressional calendar busy, some farmers are predicting that Congress will pass a 2025 extension of the 2018 Farm Bill before the current extension’s September 30 expiration date.
Multiple senators have predicted the same fate of extension for the bill.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota) allegedly told agriculture publication Agri-Pulse that passing another extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is likely needed, and would give lawmakers a fresh start in the next session.
During the Republican National Convention, Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) said that farmers would be better off if lawmakers passed another extension this fall instead of settling for a new bill that might not meet the needs of the agricultural community.
Essentially, the 2018 Farm Bill could more than likely be extended again if that extension passes through Congress instead of a new bill in the coming weeks.
Without either a renewal or extension, farmers won’t know what support to expect from year to year.
Carl Sanders is one of those farmers.
Sanders is the President of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and is a family farmer, just like his father was.
His family is one of the many who will be impacted by Congress’ decision.
“We’re without a Farm Bill right now, we’re in the middle of an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Sanders, “and we’re sort of in limbo.”
Also impacting his 1,000 acre farm: low reference prices and inflation.
The Farm Bill uses reference prices to determine when, and if, farmers receive subsidies when market prices for commodities fall below reference pricing, making up the difference.
Without action from the Farm Bill, those reference prices likely won’t be changed in order for farmers to profit.
“We’re really struggling on the farm, because our prices that we’re receiving are not keeping up with what we’re paying,” said Sanders. “Labor costs are outrageous. Parts are going through the roof. Our inputs are going up, and what we’re selling is going down,” Sanders explained.
The Farm Bill’s purpose is to provide relief and assistance to the agriculture community.
In July, the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the FY 2025 bill with over $27 billion in discretionary funding, an increase in over $800 million from 2024′s extension.
Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee approved an allocation of over $25 billion, which is around $355 million below the 2024 bill and almost 10% below the President’s Budget Request.
Funding goes toward things including, but not limited to, crop insurances, conservation, research, rental assistance and commodities in the farming community. In addition, it deals with programs like WIC and SNAP.
“We need stability, and food security is also national security,” said Sanders.
Stability is something Sanders is looking for with this year’s Farm Bill discussion.
“We need stability. We need to know what to expect from year to year, and we need to raise reference prices so farmers have a chance to make a profit,” said Sanders.
Without adequate support and subsidies, the farming community is struggling, especially because of the rising costs to operate their land.
“It is really hurting our source of income and makes you not want to get up and work 14 hours a day when you’re struggling to pay the bills,” said Sanders.
In midst of presidential campaigns and a time of heightened political tension, the Farm Bill is sitting on the Congress floor waiting to be passed.
Until it does, farmers like Sanders are left waiting for action.
Not only is this an issue of national importance, Sanders says, it’s an issue here in Alabama, where agriculture is foundational.
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