The Farm Bill is now headed to the President’s desk after the United States House of Representatives passed the bill.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted to finalize the bill and earlier Wednesday, the House also voted to approve the measure clearing the way for it now to be sent to the President for his signature into law.
The final compromise includes priorities for Montana agriculture including protecting crop insurance, a critical part of the safety net for Montana farmers, and securing funding for important conservation programs such as EQIP and CSP.
As for the nutrition title, which actually eats up about 80 percent of the farm bill’s total funding, the final compromise offers revisions for food stamp recipients.
The new farm bill also secures provisions to expand broadband access in rural Montana, promote precision agriculture, and prioritize funds to areas that are unserved with no access.
Montana’s lone House Representative Greg Gianforte responded to the bill’s passing.
“This farm bill is a win for Montana’s farmers and ranchers who work the land, feed our country, and the world,” he said. “As they know all too well, weather and markets bring uncertainty.”
The bill also includes the Hemp Farming Act, which allows states to regulate hemp production and research and make hemp eligible for crop insurance.
