A new farm bill remains uncertain as Congress heads into its final weeks of the year. Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union says getting legislation across the finish line could be difficult…
“It’s going to be hard. Even though the election’s over, it’s still going to be hard to get things done. You know, a farm bill that’s kind of up in the air is really a 50-50 chance of getting that done. I don’t know we’ve kicked that can down the road three times, whether we have to kick that down the road another year, I don’t know.”
(MN Farmer’s Union President – Gary Wertish)
Wertish says farmers need a stronger safety net, along with rural development programs that support agricultural communities.
Meanwhile, Wright County farmer and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing says despite a “lame duck” session, federal lawmakers should make every effort to get a Farm Bill passed…
“I really do think that it’s time. When you look at the power shift that’s going to occur, I don’t think the Democrats are interested in pushing it out into next congress, I think they’re going to want to get it done too. And too, when you look at the offer that was made…Republicans on that cost shift from the nutrition piece, that’s going to go into effect if they don’t take the deal…Republicans had offered a one year delay in that. If they don’t do anything, that cost shifts to the state. In Minnesota’s case, we’re one of a handful where that cost shift 100 percent goes on the counties.”
Minnesota Farm Bureau President, Dan Glessing of Waverly.
(content: in part, courtesy MNN and LFN)
