A coalition of some of the nation’s largest farm advocacy groups are joining together to oppose a suggested one year extension of the current farm bill, stating that farmers need a more certain future, particularly in light on the ongoing drought.

In response to the drought, which is currently affecting two-thirds of the country, members of the House and Senate have discussed extending and renewing drought protection programs in order to aid struggling farmers. In an effort to pass necessary drought protection while simultaneously avoid an embarrassing farm bill fight, House Republicans recently suggest a one year extension of the current farm bill that includes renewing expired disaster programs.

In response, two of the biggest farm groups in the country, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union, have come out against this proposed plan, arguing that farmers need a solid federal farm program that allows them to plan for the future.

According to the director of congressional relations for the Farm Bureau, “AFBF believes the priority is passage of a new five-year farm bill. This approach is not being presented as a vehicle to get the respective full Senate and House committee versions of the farm bill in conference, and therefore does not appear to be getting us any closer to completing the new farm bill.”

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer