It’s been a hard fight and at times few would have taken an even bet that the process would end in 2018, but Wednesday, Dec.12, Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the Senate passed a farm bill.

Passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 required more than a few compromises, including a watering down of the House Ag Committee’s proposal to strengthen work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). payments

The final votes approving the measure showed strong bi-partisan support, 87 to 13 to adopt the conference report in the Senate Tuesday and 369 to 47 in the House Wednesday.

Ag Committee leaders expressed gratitude, and likely sighs of relief, as the measure made the next to last hurdle before becoming law. Only President Trump’s signature is needed for the farm bill to become law.

“I am proud of the work we have done to fight for the hard-working farm and ranch families who feed and clothe this nation, to fight for better policy that strengthens the farm safety net and our rural communities, improves conservation initiatives, expands exports, and enhances the integrity of our nutrition programs,” said House Agricultural Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (Texas).

“I’ve maintained from the beginning that this farm bill ought to be about standing up for America’s farm and ranch families who are going through some very hard times. Farm country and rural America will be better off under this farm bill than they were before.”

Sen. Pat Roberts (Kan.), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said in a statement following Senate approval of the farm bill conference report: “The 2018 farm bill is our opportunity to make the American food and agriculture systems work more efficiently. I’m pleased to say we have done just that in this conference report. ... I thank my counterparts in the Senate and House for coming to — and staying at — the table to reach a bipartisan, bicameral agreement for rural America.”

“The 2018 farm bill is a bipartisan victory that has Michigan on every page,” Debbie Stabenow, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. “This is a strong bill that will grow Michigan’s diverse agricultural economy and support our farmers, families, and rural communities.”

“I am very happy to see my colleagues pass the 2018 farm bill,” said House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). “As I said in my floor speech, rural America is facing so many challenges and this bill goes a long way toward providing needed certainty to farmers and ranchers.

“In particular, I am proud of the improvement it makes for our dairy farmers. The bill will provide expanded, affordable coverage options and more flexibility for dairy farmers.

“It also provides permanent mandatory funding for several of the programs that first got mandatory funding in the 2008 farm bill. These include the Local Food and Farmers Market Promotion Program, Value-Added Producer Grants, the BFRDP Program, Organic Research, and the Section 2501 Outreach Program. I encourage President Trump to sign the farm bill into law quickly.”

Secretary of Agriculture

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue says the farm bill provides a needed safety net to farmers, ranchers and rural communities that have been hard hit by declining prices and incomes cut in half over the last five years.

“The passage of the 2019 farm bill is good news because it provides a strong safety net for farmers and ranchers, who need the dependability and certainty this legislation affords,” Perdue said in a statement released shortly after the House passed the bill.

“This farm bill will help producers make decisions about the future, while also investing in important agricultural research and supporting trade programs to bolster exports. While I feel there were missed opportunities in forest management and in improving work requirements for certain SNAP recipients, this bill does include several helpful provisions and we will continue to build upon these through our authorities. I commend Congress for bringing the farm bill across the finish line and am encouraging President Trump to sign it.”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), praised the bill, which includes his amendment to help create rural jobs.

“This legislation empowers Louisiana farmers and sugar producers to succeed,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The bill’s investments in telemedicine and rural community treatment facilities helps improve health outcomes for Louisianans and fight opioid addiction. And it also includes my provision creating a grant program that creates jobs in rural communities, increase opportunity and boost local economies.”

“For too long, rural America has been left behind as the rest of the nation moves forward,” said Rep. Rick Crawford (Ark.). “The farm bill is important for those engaged in production agriculture but also includes key provisions that address issues facing our rural communities, such as the opioid crisis, food deserts, and broadband access. This legislation is a resounding commitment from this Congress to rural constituencies that we recognize their needs and delivers on our promises to farmers and ranchers across America. The farm bill ensures our farmers and ranchers can continue to produce a reliable food and fiber supply, even amid uncertain economic times.”