The National Corn Growers Association today congratulates the Senate on passage of Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (2012 farm bill). The legislation was agreed to by a vote of 64-35. NCGA also urges the House of Representatives to take action quickly.“America’s farmers greatly appreciate the leadership and cooperative work by the Senate to pass the 2012 farm bill in a timely manner,” NCGA President Garry Niemeyer said. “We would also like to thank Senators Stabenow and Roberts for their bipartisan efforts throughout the process. We have been calling on Congress to pass the new legislation before the current law expires on September 30. NCGA is pleased to see this significant hurdle has been overcome.”
NCGA has advocated for an affordable crop insurance program as well as a farm program that would provide risk management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control. NCGA has also encouraged farm policy reforms that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive. “Our focus now turns to the House Agriculture Committee with hopes that they will schedule a markup of their version of the farm bill for immediately following the July 4th recess,” Niemeyer said. “We look forward to continuing our work with agriculture advocates to pass a new common sense, reformed 2012 farm bill before Congress recesses in August.”