Kansas Agriculture Supports Bipartisan Senate Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today received broad support from 30 Kansas stakeholder groups for the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

“As I said in Kansas last year when we began the Farm Bill listening process, ‘We start the journey to a successful and timely 2018 Farm Bill in the Heartland, because that is where it matters most – on our farms, ranches, businesses, and city and county halls across the countryside…No one understands the impacts of Farm Bills or policies set in Washington like America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,’” said Chairman Roberts. “I’m pleased that the Senate Agriculture Committee was able to deliver a Farm Bill that addresses the needs and concerns of folks in the Heartland.”

Click here to read the letter from a wide range of agriculture, hunger, academic, and conservation groups.

“The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 contains many provisions that give farmers certainty in uncertain times and helps protect their crops against Mother Nature, such as enhancements to the Title 1 safety net programs and the preservation of vital crop insurance programs that provide fundamental support for farmers who are experiencing tough growing conditions and historically low crop prices,” the groups wrote.

“The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 also contains many other provisions and programs that are key to agriculture and other stakeholders across the state, including voluntary conservation programs that allow farmers and ranchers to achieve their economic goals while protecting the State’s valuable natural resources.

“The Act also makes a clear effort to expand agricultural trade, international food aid, and investments in agricultural research and technology, supporting countless jobs and helping the State export billions of dollars’ worth of agricultural products every year.

“We also commend you and Ranking Member Stabenow for your bipartisan efforts to make enhancements to protect the integrity of the SNAP program while preserving eligibility and benefits for those in need. This bill allows families and individuals to get the assistance necessary to get them back on their feet and strengthens employment and training programs that help prepare Kansans for the jobs of the future. The legislation also provides a modest amount of additional funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which provides nutritious US grown food to food banks and pantries that serve Kansas families in need.”

Chairman Roberts held the first Senate Farm Bill hearing in Manhattan, Kan., listening to perspectives from a variety of Farm Bill stakeholders. Click here to watch other Committee hearings in preparation for the 2018 Farm Bill.

The Senate Agriculture Committee favorably reported out the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, on June 13, 2018. The bipartisan 5-year legislation encompasses a broad array of agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. Click here to watch the meeting.

Click here to read the legislation, summaries, and amendments.

The legislation now heads to the full U.S. Senate for consideration. 

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