The 2018 Farm Bill was passed back in December. Thanks to a government shutdown, its implementation was delayed by 35 days. Tuesday, the United States Department of Agriculture held a listening session in Washington, D.C.
Audio: Remarks from USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey
The USDA listening session was a chance for stakeholders to have their concerns and opinions heard. USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey said the agency is the biggest customer-service wing in the federal government. It is important the people?s concerns are heard.
Northey says having the Farm Bill approved on a bipartisan vote makes it easier to implement the will of the Congress. He added the will of the Congress is to make this legislation work.
Northey says the challenge in implementing the Farm Bill is every farm is different. They must find programs which cover farms in a blanket-like manner but are not too unspecific to each producer?s needs.
USDA will take all comments and concerns under advisement when deciding how to implement the Farm Bill.
