Farm Bill Creates Opportunity For Advocacy, Program Improvements

Feb 27, 2023

By Kalee Olson

Approximately every five years, the federal government passes a package of legislation that impacts all rural Americans: the farm bill. The current farm bill is set to expire on Sept. 30, indicating the time is now to advocate for programs that impact rural livelihoods and communities.

The farm bill consists of 12 sections, called titles, that set funding levels and guidelines for programs, including conservation, credit, rural development, and crop insurance. In addition, the farm bill provides funding for nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP. Projected funding for the 2018 farm bill was $428 billion, with approximately 76% of this total funding the nutrition title.

Developed by the agricultural committees in both the Senate and House, farm bill legislation goes through rigorous debate and amending as lawmakers work together to address their constituents’ needs. This includes gathering constituent feedback on aspects of programs that should be kept, improved, added to, or removed.

After each committee has drafted its version of the bill, it is put to a vote before going to the full Senate or House floor. The Senate and House must work together to create a version of the bill that satisfies both chambers, and vote to pass the legislation before sending it to the President for a final signature.

The Center is dedicated to advocating for a farm bill that serves the needs of our rural constituents. It is equally important to get involved in advocacy as a rural resident. Whether you are a producer enrolled in crop insurance or conservation programs, own a small business, purchase meat from a local locker, or are interested in the well-being of your community, your voice can help us move important changes forward.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.