Latham Joins Iowans, AG Community to Rally for New Farm Bill

Press Release

Iowa Congressman Tom Latham joined Iowans, members of the agriculture community and fellow lawmakers Wednesday morning to rally on U.S. Capitol grounds in favor of a new five-year Farm Bill. Current farm programs are scheduled to expire at the end of September.

"With so much uncertainty caused by economic and environmental conditions from the current drought, we need a new Farm Bill to address the agricultural needs of farmers, ranchers and other members of the agriculture community in Iowa and across America," Congressman Latham said. "I will continue to work with all lawmakers, regardless of political party, toward timely passage of a long-term Farm Bill."

The most recent five-year farm bill, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, became law in May of 2008. This legislation expires at the end of the current fiscal year, September 30, making it necessary for Congress and the White House to enact new legislation to extend agriculture programs.

Wednesday's rally featured a bipartisan group of speakers from the United States House of Representatives and Senate. Additionally, according to the National Farmers Union, the event was endorsed by more than 80 organizations representing a broad range of associations and coalitions representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and biobased product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups. Among those represented was the National Corn Growers Association.

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