American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall says it’s critical that Congress finishes a farm bill this year.

“Well, there are only a few pieces of legislation that are more significant than the farm bill when it comes to helping our farmers secure our food supply. The farm bill is essential to our farmers and ranchers as it ensures funding for risk management tools that are important to them. Farming is difficult and risky business, and the farm bill helps farmers weather the storms. Even though Congress passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill, getting a new farm bill done is still a priority of ours. Farmers and ranchers need and deserve a modernized farm bill that reflects changes our industry has gone through in the last five years.” 

Duvall says Farm Bureau members are sending a clear message to Congress: the farm bill can’t wait.

“We asked our members to step up to the plate to advocate for this issue, and boy, have they done that. Our members have sent more than 10,000 messages to their senators and representatives asking them to get the farm bill done. We’ve had messages from all over the country, in nearly every state. Our members from California to Florida to Texas to Minnesota have made their voices heard.” 

He encourages all farmers and ranchers to get involved in farm bill advocacy.

“The best thing you can do is reach out to your elected officials and tell them how the farm bill is important to your farm. You can share your story about how the farm bill has helped you, and what you would like to see written in the new farm bill. If you’re not already a Farm Bureau member, we encourage you to join us by going to your local, county Farm Bureau and getting involved with grassroots.” 

Learn more at fb.org/advocacy.