The National Farmers Union and Farm Aid groups have partnered to send 275 farm families to Washington D.C. this week to seek help for farmers struggling through the current economic downturn. Both organizations say that America’s farmers can’t afford to wait for assistance until after the November election. They’re asking Congress for emergency relief for the hardest-hit farmers, increased funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture farm loan programs, and resources to help provide a remedy for low commodity prices all be included in the upcoming Congressional spending package in fiscal year 2017. Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President, said, “Low commodity prices and high input costs have been relentless, and 2014 farm bill safety net programs have failed to deliver the relief farmers and ranchers need to help them recover.” Net farm income is forecast to be 43 percent lower than in 2013, yet farm production expenses are four percent higher than last year at this time. “Every week, we hear from family farmers and ranchers facing these challenges on their farms,” said Carolyn Mugar, Executive Director of Farm Aid. “This is becoming the new normal for many farmers and ranchers across the country.”