The National Farmers Union (NFU) President, Rob Larew, expressed relief following the House's approval of a continuing resolution that extends the 2018 Farm Bill. This legislation also provides economic and disaster assistance for family farmers and ranchers.
"After months of uncertainty, family farmers and ranchers across the country can finally take some solace in the passage of the end-of-year funding package," said Larew. He emphasized that Congress has delivered essential economic and disaster relief to farmers who face challenges such as extreme weather, high input costs, and volatile markets. NFU members have actively advocated for this relief.
Despite these developments, Larew noted that "family farmers and ranchers deserve better." He highlighted a bipartisan agreement that could have further addressed agricultural issues. The proposed agreement included provisions like granting nationwide year-round sales of E15 ethanol blends, which would benefit farmers by expanding market opportunities, reducing emissions, and bolstering domestic energy production. However, according to Larew, congressional dysfunction impeded progress.
"This is not just a failure of process—family farmers and ranchers should not have to navigate a system that treats their livelihoods like political collateral," Larew stated. He urged leaders to prioritize collaboration and innovation while addressing rural communities' challenges. To effectively support agriculture, he called for delivering a comprehensive five-year farm bill at the beginning of 2025.
