Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have resorted to unconventional means to try and force a farm bill to the floor for a vote.

Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) formally filed a “discharge petition” on Thursday in an effort to bring the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act passed by the House Agriculture Committee on July 12 to a vote. If at least 218 members sign the petition, the legislation must be brought to the floor.

“After 65 days of dithering and distraction, Speaker Boehner has finally allowed the bill to be released from Committee,” Braley said in a statement urging colleagues to sign the petition. “Now that we, a group of Democrats and Republicans, have filed this discharge petition, and it’s available for signatures, we’ll see who really supports the Farm Bill Now.”

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was pleased to hear the news. “That’s an encouraging sign because it gives representatives who are keenly aware of the need for a farm bill the opportunity to compel House leadership to bring a farm bill up for a vote,” Vilsack told USDA Radio Thursday.

Meanwhile Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and others sent a letter to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor requesting a meeting to discuss the farm bill. Noem spoke passionately about the need for new farm legislation Wednesday, both at the Farm Bill Now rally and on the House floor. In an effort to put a face on those in agriculture, she read excerpts of a letter from a South Dakota farming couple. You can watch her speech below: