As Congress gets back to work this week, the Farm Bill Now Coalition is ramping up for a rally the morning of September 12, 2012 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. With 46 groups and growing, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Pam Johnson of Floyd, Iowa said the rally is building on the momentum of the past few weeks.

During the rally, the groups will be telling legislators why this bill is so important, not just to agriculture, but to consumers. “Consumers have been hurting for quite a while with the general economy. And a Farm Bill provides certainty for farmers but it also makes sure we have certainty in our food system in food security,” said Johnson in an interview during the 2012 Farm Progress Show with Cindy Zimmerman.

Johnson believes that the industry is only going to see 60 percent of the crop they usually have. That is why, she said, there is no better year to write a Farm Bill with the devastating drought.

In the spring things were moving along and then a brick wall was hit. “We’re so close. Let’s rally around. Let’s start talking again. Let’s reconcile. Let’s compromise. And let’s get this Farm Bill done by September 30,” said Johnson.

Johnson added that there are choices out there, and this is why they advocated for a Farm Bill and reform in the Farm Bill. “Because this was to be only when farmers really needed help. And farmers really need help this year.”

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Pam Johnson here: Pam Johnson interview

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album