It’s been four years since the Farm Bill was updated and reauthorized. That means 2018 is time for Congress to review this legislation that’s been supporting and protecting U.S. farmers since 1933. The current Farm Bill was signed into law in February 2014, with the provision that it must be reviewed and updated by September 30, 2018.
History of The Farm Bill
In 1933, as the Great Depression was in full swing, President Roosevelt signed the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), otherwise known as the first Farm Bill, into law. At that time of worldwide economic distress, the country experienced widespread hunger even though there were food surpluses. The AAA made it possible for the U.S. government to purchase the food surplus and distribute it to those in need.
In 1938, Congress made the AAA more permanent, with the requirement that it be updated approximately every five years.
Today the Farm Bill is a package of legislation that impacts what food is grown, crop insurance, availability of food for low-income households, and agricultural training. Even though it is more detailed today, the purpose of the bill is the same as when it was first signed into law. The Farm Bill exists to:
- Keep prices fair for farmers
- Keep prices fair for consumers
- Protect the natural resources of the U.S.
- Maintain a sufficient food supply for the nation
According to Farm Policy Facts, the Farm Bill “affects every single American and global citizen in the most fundamental of ways.”
What the Farm Bill Covers
The new version of the Farm Bill may end up differing, but will probably stay close to covering the same areas, otherwise known as titles, as the current, 2014 version. The 2014 Farm Bill has 12 titles:
- Title 1: Commodities. This section addresses the support needed for farmers of main crops, like soybeans, wheat, corn, and rice.
- Title 2: Conservation. This section addresses conservation for our natural resources.
- Title 3: Trade. This section deals with international aid and exports.
- Title 4: Nutrition. This section of the Farm Bill covers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka SNAP.
- Title 5: Credit. This section covers federal loans for farmers.
- Title 6: Rural Development. This section helps support rural economic development.
- Title 7: Research, Extension, and Related Matters. This addresses food and nutritional research as well as training for farmers.
- Title 8: Forestry. This section covers conservation efforts for forestry.
- Title 9: Energy. This section deals with crops grown for biofuels as well as renewable energy research.
- Title 10: Specialty Crops & Horticulture. This section addresses organic crops and research.
- Title 11: Crop Insurance. This section covers subsidies for farmers and crop insurance companies.
- Title 12: Miscellaneous.
The 2018 Farm Bill
On June 21, 2018, the House of Representatives passed their version of updates to the Farm Bill. A week later, on June 28, the Senate passed theirs. When they return from their July recess, Congress is expected to resolve the differences in the two bills so that a new, functioning Farm Bill will be in place by the upcoming September 30, 2018 deadline.
According to Andrew Walmsley, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), “We’re optimistic that we can work through the differences in the bill and get it done before current law expires.”
The President of the AFBF added that the bipartisan support shown for the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill, “Could not have come at a better time. America’s farmers and ranchers continue to face a challenging agricultural economy, a shaky outlook for our export markets and a dire ag labor shortage. It was time for some good news, and the Senate delivered it in bipartisan fashion.”
The Farm Bill is vital legislation, not only for farmers in the U.S. but for the entire nation, as well as the world economy. Congress must iron out their conflicting versions of the current bill. Considering the fact that the Senate’s version of this year’s bill passed easily with only eleven “No” votes, we’re optimistic that Congress will be able to work together to maintain the programs our country depends on.
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