The Kansas Corn Growers Association supports efforts of 39 leading agricultural organizations demanding that Congress pass the Farm Bill this session. The National Corn Growers Association is one of 39 of the country's foremost agricultural organizations working to raise public awareness of the need for Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before current programs expire in September. The coalition, called Farm Bill Now, comprises associations and coalitions representing commodity groups, crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and local governments and energy and biobased product groups.

Kansas Corn Growers Association President Bob Timmons encouraged growers and consumers to push for passage of the Farm Bill before it expires in September. "Congress is home now and many members are holding town hall meetings and attending events," Timmons said. "We encourage our growers to talk to their elected officials about the importance of passing the farm bill. We are in the midst of a historic drought, and our family farmers need the certainty that a new five-year farm bill would provide."

The U.S. Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill in June. Both Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Jerry Moran voted to pass the bill. While the House Agriculture Committee passed its version of the Farm Bill, it has not been brought to a vote by the full House. Kansas Representatives Lynn Jenkins and Kevin Yoder signed a colleague letter asking House leadership to bring the Farm Bill to a vote.

The Farm Bill Now coalition has launched an interactive web portal at www.farmbillnow.com where visitors can connect to their members of Congress and show their support for a new five-year farm bill. Farmbillnow.org uses social media, events and an online petition to give both farmers and consumers the resources they need to make their voices heard, telling Congress that the farm bill needs to be completed before the current farm food law expires in September.

The federal government's financial situation is serious and agriculture is one of the only constituencies to accept cuts by making fundamental changes to long established farm programs while providing programs that assist growers only when needed.

In late August, Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service noted that 70-percent of the state's corn, sorghum and soybean crops were in poor or very poor condition due to drought conditions. At the same time, livestock producers are suffering from drought damaged pastures, higher feed costs and a lack of water for their stock.

"As farmers and ranchers in Kansas and throughout the nation suffer together, it is a poor time for Congress to pass on taking action on the farm bill," Timmons said. "The Farm Bill isn't just for farmers-it's for jobs, food, conservation, research, energy and trade. This bill affects every American."

For more information go to farmbillnow.com.