Eight months after the official expiration date of the 2018 Farm Bill, farmers are starting to see some movement on the passing of a new bill. The 2018 Farm Bill, which expired September 2023, was extended for a year, continuing expired farm programs as the House and Senate agriculture committees draft a new bill.
The Farm Bill has been at the forefront of priorities for many agriculture groups across the country, including the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Tyler Main, IPPA District 1 Director and Knox County farmer shares the latest movement on Farm Bill legislation.
“It was just announced [May 1] that the House Ag chair GT Thompson unveiled an initial overview of the House Farm Bill draft, looking at an official markup set date for May 23. So we’ll see what that what that looks like. The Democrat side announced something [May 1] as well,” says Main. “So of course, classic politics, both sides of the aisle are trying to work this out, and hopefully they can come together and get something put together for a new Farm Bill”
According to reports, the Thompsons’ bill would increase Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage programs, expand crop insurance, and include language that prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional livestock restrictions.
Senate, Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow’s Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act on Wednesday contained more than 100 bipartisan bills addressing issues such as foreign land ownership, farm safety net, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and climate-smart conservation practices.
