A coalition of 235 agriculture organizations has sent a letter to Congressional leadership to urge passage of a new five-year farm bill to be signed into law by the end of the legislative session. The letter – addressed to House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer – notes the paramount importance of the legislation. According to the letter – failure to pass a new five-year farm bill before the end of the year will create significant budget uncertainty for the entire ag sector – including the rural businesses and lenders whose livelihoods are dependent on the economic viability of farmers and livestock producers. The letter also addresses the possibility of a temporary extension of current farm legislation – calling it a short-sighted, inadequate solution that would leave those in agriculture crippled by uncertainty.

The coalition undersigning the letter comprised of organizations representing the farming, livestock, specialty crop, feed, rural development, nutrition, health, conservation, woodland owners, municipalities, trade, agricultural research, crop insurance and renewable energy communities.