Old Farm Bill expires this month, Michigan farmers could be affected

Michigan farmers face some uncertainty, as a key federal agriculture policy expires at the end of this week.

Congress adjourned before passing a new Farm Bill.  The old federal Farm Bill expires September 30th.

Many programs affecting Michigan farmers will be disrupted if Congress does not agree on a new Farm Bill.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow chairs the Senate Agriculture committee. She worries if the House and Senate don’t reach an agreement the Farm Bill may be lost in the rush to avoid automatic tax increases and budget cuts at the end of the year.

“When you add the farm bill issues…it complicates it,” says Stabenow, “There’s only a few weeks of time.”

Stabenow says she wants the House to quickly pass its version of the Farm Bill when Congress reconvenes after the November election.