All lanes of the American agricultural highway merged this week to drive a message to Washington. Farmers facing dire economic situations need a new farm bill and financial assistance. That unified voice is a good thing.

On Monday, more than 300 national, regional and state groups representing the breadth of U.S. agriculture sent a signed letter to congressional leaders, calling on them to pass a new farm bill before year’s end. House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell received the letter.

Many members of the groups, including major commodity groups from throughout the South and Southeast, followed the letter with a coordinated fly-in trip to Washington to bring farmers and ag lenders together with lawmakers and staff to discuss the issue face to face.

“It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable, and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate. Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year,” the letter states.

The letter goes on to say, “Farmers are struggling, and the decline in the farm economy is real. Estimated 2024 net farm income for U.S. agriculture is projected to be down $55.61 billion, a more than 27% drop from the 2022 level.”

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The cost of inputs to grow crops remains elevated, and prices for major crop commodities are down, some well below what’s needed to cover those costs. “Despite these factors, USDA projects that federal support for production agriculture in 2024 will be at its lowest since 1982,” according to the letter.

The full-force fellowship of ag groups that coalesced this week know the situation is immediate for farmers. U.S. agriculture, including many from the Southeast, have champions in Washington who are listening and understand. But all in power in Washington must understand they need to make sure our country’s farmers have the means and safety nets to produce food, fiber and agricultural products to sustainably continue as a prosperous, world-leading power.

Even if Congress passes and a president signs a new farm bill that addresses the real-world crisis farmers face today and tomorrow, farmers need assistance to weather the current financial storm into the next growing season.

So, what’s next? Will Congress move on a farm bill?

Joshua Baethge, Farm Progress policy editor, wrote an insightful piece this week, detailing what’s on the lawmakers’ agenda now and where the farm bill lines up with it. According to sources close to the negotiations, he says, a second farm bill extension is almost a given. The question remains how long it will be.

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