It's a fact that if the current Farm Bill doesn't pass before its expiration at the end of the month, Congress has the option to extend it. This has been a recurring pattern, as seen last September and the September before. However, as Rocky Mountain Farmers Union president Chad Franke points out, Colorado farmers are deeply concerned about the overdue update to this crucial legislation. Agricultural producers need to plan years in advance, and uncertainty is not welcome.

Stability and Crop Planning

"All it comes down to is stability," Franke said. "The wheat for next year's crop is already planted, but we don't know what farm bill or programs will be in place when it's harvested. These Farm Bill programs cover a wide range, from agricultural conservation funding to crop insurance subsidies and commodity programs that stabilize supply and prices. The Farm Bill accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending and touches every aspect of agriculture and rural life. Producers closely watch these policies."

San Luis Valley farmer and rancher Emily Brown emphasized the importance. "When we need to apply for a loan or make decisions about new fencing or stock tanks for our cows, knowing that the Farm Bill funding is in place can make a big difference in how we can expand our operation or make quick decisions."

Haxtun Farmer's Perspective

Haxtun farmer Roy Pfaltzgraff said he's not overly worried about the delay for now. "For dry land farmers in northeast Colorado, facing disasters like huge droughts or hailstorms in the same week can be challenging. Getting support to rebuild after such events takes longer and may not even happen."

Despite this, he acknowledges that the situation could make risk management on the farm more complicated.

The Role of Farm Bill in Food Aid

Most Farm Bill dollars aren't for farming; more than three-quarters go to food aid like SNAP. The Farm Bill is the country's main vehicle for setting food assistance policy. Since the 2018 update, the landscape of hunger has changed significantly.Rae Solomon captured the situation at the LiftUp of Routt County food bank. "The biggest impact of a delayed farm bill is that we can't make progress on the needs we saw six years ago," said Sarah Mason, the government relations manager for Feeding Colorado. "This is a concern at food banks like the one here in Steamboat Springs."

Local restaurant manager Miranda, who uses the food bank, shared her experience. "I kind of depend on this to fill my fridge. I really had no food before coming here. It's been really helpful."

Increased Demand and Food Bank Challenges

LiftUp of Routt County's executive director Sue Fegelein noted a common story. "COVID changed everything. New clients have been flocking to the foodbank in recent years as local food insecurity exploded. We're serving 20 percent more than last year, and the increase is significant. We're providing a large portion of our clients' food each month."

According to Fegelein, the food budget at the food bank has more than quadrupled since 2018 to meet the increased demand. The organization now depends more on community donations and grant funding.

Food security advocate Sarah Mason wants Congress to act quickly on a new Farm Bill with updated nutrition assistance policies. "We've seen the need for food assistance rise drastically, especially after COVID. A delayed farm bill means the gap between federal policy and community reality continues to grow."

But there's no guarantee that a new Farm Bill will expand food aid. Lawmakers need to reach a deal before the end-of-year deadline.