BROWN COUNTY — Local farmers and politicians reacted in a variety of ways when asked for their thoughts on the farm bill, a multiyear law that governs a number of agricultural and food programs.

The farm bill focuses on farm commodity program support for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts, dairy and sugar. Nutrition, garden crops, bio-energy, conservation, research and rural development were added to the farm bill more recently.

The farm bill also includes programs and assistance for livestock and poultry production, supporting beginning farmers and ranchers and more.

Without re-authorization, some farm bill programs expire like nutrition assistance for the needy, and farm commodity support programs. Some programs have permanent authority and do not need authorization, like crop insurance, according to the Congressional Research Service.

“It seems we don’t have any compromising now, unfortunately. Is this what we want in our country? That we can’t agree and work on anything anymore?” said Sleepy Eye farmer and columnist Randy Krzmarzick.

“I’d like to see a farm bill that promotes conservation and keeps farm families on the land. We need to be supporting big agriculture at least in parts of the farm bill. We need a farm bill by Dec. 31 to get them (politicians) off the schneid (losing streak),” he said.

Courtland farmer Tim Waibel had a more direct answer.

“They should get their asses in gear. I wonder what they’re waiting for? A commodity prize collapse? It’s amazing how important things get overlooked. The farm bill affects many non-farmers and food programs,” he said.

Former Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Bob Worth weighed in.

“Today’s ag economy is not very good. We have to get it done. People need to contact their senators and representatives about doing a farm bill,” he said.

State Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, is hopeful.

“There is some hope a lame duck Congress could pass a farm bill. We hope they will. It’s very important to us. We’ll see how important crop insurance is this year. We finished bean harvest and dove into the corn on my farm. Not good yields, very uneven. A lot of drowned-out crops. I think that’s true throughout the region,” he said.

State Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, said he’s unsure if a farm bill will get done.

“I know the (U.S.) House presented a farm bill and the Senate has not acted on it. I don’t know if they will. We’re 43 days from the election. It’s doubtful. If they put something together in the last few weeks, I’d be concerned and question just how good of a bill it is. I think the ship has sailed to get it done before the election,” he said.

A House Ag Committee member, First District Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm said the ag committee passed the farm bill but the Senate didn’t do anything.

“It takes two to tango. We need to be set up to do something. Right now, there are ideas written on the back of a bar napkin that need to go into a bill so we can look at it and negotiate how to finish it. It’s $1.6 trillion of spending over 10 years. It’s a lot of money. Look at the price of beans and corn, inputs we (farmers) struggle with, it’s more important now than ever to have a strong farm bill that supports rural America,” he said.

Seventh District Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, R-Regal, said she authored a couple bills in the farm bill passed with bi-partisan support by the House Ag Committee.

“I think it’s a really good, strong farm bill that will help bring cash into rural areas for things like daycare centers and hospitals, without adding federal funds, but by changing some regulations to free it up,” she said.

Fischbach said she co-sponsored a farm insurance bill with Finstad that she hopes is passed by the Senate during lame duck (session) after the election.

For more information, visit https://crsreports.congress.gov