The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, American Soybean Association, and American Biogas Council are among more than 500 organizations calling for the passage of a new Farm Bill. 

The groups on July 22 sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture and U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry urging for passage of a new, modernized Farm Bill before the end of the year. 

“Millions of Americans rely daily on the provisions of the farm bill to produce food, fiber and fuel; to feed their families and others around the world; to voluntarily conserve fish and wildlife and their habitat; to provide sustainable solutions for clean air and water; to provide a producer safety net; to facilitate international trade; to create local jobs and robust economies; and to support rural development nationwide,” the groups wrote.

“If Congress does not come together this year to enact a bipartisan farm bill, the legislative process will begin anew in the 119th Congress,” they continued. “Given the significant legislative, and possibly administrative, duties of a new Congress including the seating of new leadership and committees, Senate nominations, and other essential actions during the first months of the 119th Congress, we have concerns that it may not be logistically or politically feasible to advance a new farm bill early in the next Congress. As committed stakeholders and beneficiaries of the farm bill, we cannot continue to wait for updated policies, provisions, initiatives and critical funding that support our collective interests.

“Therefore, we respectfully and strongly urge you to craft a bipartisan farm bill that can pass your respective chambers and be conferenced and enacted in this Congress,” the groups added. “We have full confidence that under your leadership and with a bipartisan commitment to the American people, you will enact a 2024 farm bill that continues the exemplary track record of innovative and modernized farm and food policy to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

The Farm Bill is a package of legislation that is normally passed every five years. It covers a wide range of programs, including crop insurance, nutrition programs and programs that support bioenergy initiatives.

Congress most recently passed a Farm Bill package in 2018. That legislation was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2023. Lawmakers, however, extended the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill for one year, through Sept. 30, 2024, as part of a stopgap bill approved on Nov. 14, 2024, to avoid a government shutdown. 

Three Farm Bill outlines have been released over the past several months, including one released in June by Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; one released in May by Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.; and one released in May by the House Committee on Agriculture.

The House Ag Committee on May 24 achieved some progress with its version of the bill, completing markup of its legislation and passing the proposed legislation out of committee by a 33-21 vote. However, progress on all three versions of the bill is currently stalled, making it unlikely Congress will complete the legislative process before Sept. 30. In order for a new Farm Bill to become law, the House and Senate must first pass their respective versions of the Farm Bill. The two pieces of legislation will then likely be combined into one compromise package via a conference committee. Both the Senate and House must then pass the combined legislative package before it can be signed into law.

A full copy of the July 22 letter is available on the American Farm Bureau Federation website

.