Weekly Column: From The Mailbag--The Farm Bill

As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me regularly with valuable input about the issues our country faces.  Including strong pro-agriculture measures in the upcoming Farm Bill is one of the issues Idahoans have contacted me about.  The following is my response: Idaho’s diversified and abundant agriculture industry contributes significantly to the economy, with Idaho farmers and ranchers producing more than 185 commodities statewide.  We must ensure that federal agriculture policies address the needs and complexities of agriculture while we continue to enable farmers and ranchers to support the stewardship of our rural lands, strengthen our rural communities and businesses and provide a safe and abundant food supply. On May 17, 2024, the House of Representatives released its draft text of the upcoming Farm Bill, which is known as the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024.  On December 21, 2024, the 2018 Farm Bill was extended, with all programs receiving funding through September 30, 2025.  While the Farm, Food and National Security Act was introduced last Congress, similar legislation that will contain most of the original provisions is likely to be introduced in the 119 th Congress.  I have included a helpful resource below if you would like to read an overview of the originally proposed legislation: https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/detailed_summary_final.pdf I will continue to advocate for progress on the passage of a new Farm Bill.  As the Senate considers the upcoming Farm Bill, please stay in touch and up-to-date via the news releases on my Senate website.  If you would like to leave further suggestions for the Farm Bill or express further thoughts on the authorization process, please submit feedback through the link below: https://www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/email-me Realizing many Idahoans may not have the chance to contact me, I post information about issues of importance on my website, at http://crapo.senate.gov , as well as news releases, i nformation about accessing my Facebook and YouTube pages and following me on Twitter and Instagram .  Resources to assist Idahoans who need help with federal agencies and how to contact me are also on the website and as follows: Boise 251 E. Front St., Suite 205 Boise ID, 83702 Phone: (208) 334-1776 Fax: (208) 334-9044 Coeur d' Alene 610 Hubbard, Suite 209 Coeur d' Alene, ID 83814 Phone: (208) 664-5490 Fax: (208) 664-0889 Idaho Falls 410 Memorial Dr., Suite 204 Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Phone: (208) 522-9779 Fax: (208) 529-8367 Lewiston 313 'D' St., Suite 105 Lewiston, ID 83501 Phone: (208) 743-1492 Fax: (208) 743-6484 Pocatello 275 S. 5th Ave., Suite 100 Pocatello, ID 83201 Phone: (208) 236-6775 Fax: (208) 236-6935 Twin Falls 202 Falls Ave., Suite 2 Twin Falls, ID 83301 Phone: (208) 734-2515 Fax: (208) 733-0414 Washington, D.C. 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6142 Fax: (202) 228-1375 The messages you send me help shape my approach on a number of important matters.  Please continue to contact me and share your thoughts and ideas. # # #