Washington, D.C. (RFD News) — Former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman is weighing in on the Farm Bill‘s progress, warning farm country needs more predictable policy.
“I don’t think the end of the world is here, but I do think that farmers and people in rural America are beginning to suffer because there’s been so little predictability in farm policy and getting farm bills passed on time.”
Glickman served as Agriculture secretary during the Clinton administration, but he has remained engaged in farm policy ever since. He said the Farm Bill has become much more partisan since it was first rolled out around the time of the Great Depression.
“The democrats and republicans have had different objectives, in many cases, different philosophies on issues like the nutrition programs and environmental issues. It’s been really tough, and they’ve gotten stuck. Fortunately, there have been continuations to the pre-existing Farm Bill, so there’s been money that’s come into agriculture, notwithstanding what I’ve just said.”
Some have suggested splitting the Farm Bill into separate pieces to make it easier to pass. However, Glickman does not support that move, saying 80 percent of Congress does not represent rural America.
When RFD News spoke with Glickman this spring, he called on lawmakers from both parties to come together and provide more certainty for the agriculture industry.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman is also looking for certainty. During a speech to colleagues, Boozman reminded lawmakers that a new Farm Bill is long overdue.
“This farm bill is more than three years overdue, and we owe it to our constituents to get it done. A vote for this farm bill is a vote for our farmers and our ranchers. I urge my colleagues to join me in sending a clear message to rural America. The senate stands with our farm families. We are committed to ensuring they have the certainty, the tools, and the support that they need to succeed.”
The Senate farm bill does not include a path forward for year-round E-15 sales. It also does not address controversial laws like California’s Proposition 12.
SNAP has been another major sticking point in Farm Bill talks. Neither the House nor Senate version addresses whether some states would be required to cover certain costs of the program.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss the Senate Agriculture Committee’s draft proposal and several priorities included in the legislation.
In her interview with RFD News, Sen. Fischer highlighted the inclusion of the PRECISION Act and PAL Act, which focus on expanding access to precision agriculture technology. She said the proposals are designed to help farmers and ranchers adopt new innovations that can improve profitability, support conservation efforts, and create opportunities for young and beginning producers through USDA-backed loan programs.
She also discussed efforts to accelerate disaster assistance for producers, noting that legislation to speed the delivery of disaster aid recently advanced in Congress following devastating wildfires and prairie fires in Nebraska.
Fischer emphasized the importance of advancing a new Farm Bill, saying lawmakers have already provided support for agriculture through recent legislation but must continue working to strengthen the farm safety net through a comprehensive bill.
She also addressed the absence of language overturning California’s Proposition 12 in the current draft, noting that bipartisan support remains a key requirement for moving a Farm Bill through Congress. Fischer encouraged producers to engage directly with lawmakers about the issues most important to their operations.
Fischer further discussed efforts to secure year-round E15 sales, highlighting support from the White House and ongoing discussions in Congress to advance legislation on the issue.
She also commented on the administration’s supplemental funding request for agriculture, noting the importance of maintaining a strong agricultural economy and supporting producers as they navigate weather challenges, market volatility, and other risks.
