GILFILLAN ESTATES — A panel of national agricultural leaders and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith discussed the status of the new farm bill at a Farmfest forum Wednesday.

The farm bill is a multiyear law that governs agricultural and food programs and provides an opportunity for policymakers to address agricultural and food issues.

Farm bills traditionally focused on farm commodity program support for commodities like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts, dairy and sugar. Recently, nutrition, horticulture, bio-energy, conservation, research and rural development were added.

Last November, Congress extended the 2018 Farm Bill for one year to include expanded crop insurance, amend conservation programs and revise nutrition assistance. The 2018 Farm Bill begins expiring Oct. 1.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall of Georgia said new farm bill provisions are how commodity issues are addressed.

“We don’t live in the same world we did in 2018. We’re very proud of new conservation funding that can fill the needs of all applicants,” said Duvall.

He said the farm bill affects every American family in some form or fashion.

National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle who farms near St. James, said he’s mostly concerned with the low price of corn.

“We need to develop more world trade to get it to places it’s needed,” Wolle said.

“We need public and private partnerships. Research and development funding is very important,” he said.

“It’s very important for southern Minnesota. Our crops have been inundated with rain. A farm bill is needed for the bad years. Let’s get it done,” he said.

American Soybean Association board member George Goblish said farm bill funding is needed to develop trade routes with other countries and for incentives for people to use corn and soybean products.

National Pork Producers Council President Lori Stevermer said Proposition 12 needs to be fixed.

Last May, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Proposition 12, a statewide ban on the sale of pork from pigs housed in cages or crowded group pens.

“The state of California is trying to tell the rest of the U.S. how to raise pigs. It creates uncertainty in volatile markets,” said Stevermer.

Duvall said farm bill changes won’t get done unless producers contact their representatives in Congress and the Senate and ask them to focus on approving a farm bill.

Wolle said he’s found hemp seed on his land that was planted many years ago.

“It’s a tremendous crop that grows like mad. If the law allows, we need more Minnesota growers to grow it,” Wolle said.

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said infrastructure and markets must be in place prior to growing hemp.

Smith said there is bi-partisan support for rural development funding for childcare needs. She predicted the funding would be part of a new farm bill.

Most officials said they believe a new farm bill be approved later this year or next year, before the 2025 Farmfest.

“We need to look at the cost if we don’t get a new farm bill,” said Larew.

“My heart and prayers go for this,” Duvall said.

“We can’t depend on another country to feed us or we’ll be on our knees,” he said.