Farm Bill Forum | Video

Alexander Gorney | 7/28/2012

The Farm Bill is slated to expire at the end of September. The Senate has already passed its version and now it`s sitting in the House. Dozens had the chance to have their voices heard this morning before Senate Candidate Heidi Heitkamp and the Chair of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Debbie Stabenow from Michigan.

The event was held at Bohemian Hall, near Mandan.

Heitkamp and Senator Stabenow spoke with people about their thoughts on the Farm Bill and the state of agriculture in North Dakota. The largest item farmers have urged for in the farm bill is crop insurance.

“Crop insurance is the main thing. I`d like to see that at least kept the same so there`s some sort of safety net for the farmer and rancher,” said attendee Dan Belohlavea.

“We need to get it done in the house. Leadership doesn`t want to take up the farm bill and so I`m here first to say we need a farm bill now. One that works for North Dakota,” said Sen. Stabenow, (D) Michigan.

The biggest cut to producers would be the elimination of the direct payments but the legislation in both the House and Senate versions expand the crop insurance program.

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