Members ready for rally on Hill

The National Grange will participate in a rally protesting Congress’ refusal to bring up the 2012 Farm Bill for a full vote on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

In a truly collaborative effort, 69 organizations have formed the Farm Bill Now coalition to draw attention to this important issue. The groups, including the National Grange, the American Farm Bureau, the Farmer’s Union, and many others, have agreed to set aside their personal legislative priorities, making no specific recommendations about what the Farm Bill should contain.

Attendees will meet at the Capitol Reflecting Pool at 11 a.m. to begin the event.

About a dozen representatives of the Grange will be among the group.

Although a five-year farm bill has never been passed in an election year, all provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill expire on September 30th and must either be extended or renewed in order to ensure that American agriculture receives all the vital resources it requires to keep on track and provide relief for thousands of farmers feeling the effects of a months-long drought.

Despite its term, the Farm Bill has an impact on nearly every sector of our already struggling economy, with nearly one in every 12 American jobs being provided by the agricultural sector.

The Farm Bill passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in July, with the Senate having already passed their version in June. With the upcoming November elections, Congress is hesitant to debate and pass the nearly $1 trillion piece of legislation, with particular hesitance towards proposed cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs, also known as food stamps.

Groups argue that it is essential that Congress pass the Farm Bill before the end of September and the coalition will work to see that become reality.