Some south Alabama farmers tired of waiting in limbo took their lobbying

efforts to Washington, D.C., this week, but it’s doubtful they will have much

impact.

The group of farmers met with House Agriculture Chairman Larry Combest, among

other Congressmen, to urge action on the farm bill.

The Alabama farmers, like so many across the nation, are in limbo waiting to

see what Congress will pass to replace the expiring farm bill.

The House and

Senate have vastly different proposals, driven in large part by partisan politics, and even Combest is readily admits that resolving those differences

isn’t likely to happen this session.

The leaves farmers holding an empty seed bag. The uncertainty of the new farm bill, particularly the unresolved issues of

how the government will assign quotas and at what levels it will provide

subsidies to farmers, leaves many wondering if their livelihood is in

question. Farmers are hesitant to plant; banks are hesitant to loan money on

uncertain subsidies; and Congress is, if not hesitant certainly not

motivated, to quickly resolve the issue.

The farmers are men and women of action; perhaps that’s why they felt

compelled to take their lobbying calls to Washington.

Let’s hope their presence can spur Congress on to action.  

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