Nebraska Farm Bureau Urges Farm Bill Passage
LINCOLN, NE – The Nebraska Farm Bureau is calling on Congress to move swiftly in passing the 2018 Farm Bill as packaged by agriculture leaders in the House and Senate. The comprehensive bill would address many of the priorities previously outlined by the organization during farm bill negotiations.
“Our number one priority has been the protection of federal crop insurance. This final version delivers on that priority. We appreciate all the efforts that have gone into developing a farm bill that works for agriculture, as well as rural and urban Americans,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president, Dec. 11.
In addition to providing a strong crop insurance foundation, the bill makes needed adjustments in commodity programs, specifically the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill. It also improves on federal conservation programs, funds important trade promotion programs, expands funding for broadband access in rural America, and provides permanent funding for an expanded livestock vaccine bank.
“All of these components are critical to current and future generations of Nebraska farm and ranch families,” said Nelson.
Votes on the 2018 Farm Bill could take place in both the House and Senate as early as this week.
“I want to thank the members of the Nebraska Congressional delegation for their efforts to get us to this point. Sen. Fischer, Sen. Sasse, Congressman Fortenberry, Congressman Bacon, and Congressman Smith have all played important roles in delivering the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Nelson. “Now it’s critical the House and Senate pass the 2018 Farm Bill and provide certainty to Nebraska’s farm and ranch families who continue to face a challenging agriculture economy.”
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service and advocacy efforts. More than 59,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.
