A tumultuous fall in the legislature gave way to the fear of no farm bill becoming a reality. While a new farm bill was not drafted or signed, Alabama residents can breathe a short sigh of relief. However, a continuing resolution was signed, extending agricultural and nutrition programs through Sept. 30, 2024.
Continuing Resolution
Adam Rabinowitz, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System economist, said all permanent programs — including Title I crop programs, crop insurance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — will continue in their current form. He also said some other programs — like the Feral Swine Eradication program — needed additional allocations that were provided.
“With the farm bill extension, Congress is providing Alabama citizens with certainty in agricultural policy for next year, including knowing what farm safety nets and nutrition policies will be in place,” Rabinowitz said. “The continuing resolution also provided additional funding for the feral swine pilot program that ran out of money Sept. 30. This is especially important to our row crop producers that need assistance combating this threat to their crops.”
What’s in a farm bill?
Contrary to the bill’s name, most monies in a farm bill are not allocated to agricultural programs or research. Based on recent budget estimates, Rabinowitz, who is also an associate professor in the Auburn University College of Agriculture, said Americans could expect a nearly $1.5 trillion bill proposal in 2024. Approximately 85 percent of that figure would be designated for SNAP.
According to data obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, one in seven Alabamians received SNAP assistance in May 2023. This is equivalent to about 15 percent of Alabama’s population or 772,813 people.
Farm Bill’s Emphasis on Agriculture
While the nutrition assistance programs will continue to be a priority for Alabama legislators, the impacts on agriculture will also be high on the list. Alabama has more than 44,000 farms, covering 8.9 million acres.
Agriculture is a big industry in Alabama, with one out of every 4.6 jobs in the state relating to agriculture and forestry. While there are many farms, the average farm size is 211 acres.
“There are a lot of areas that Alabama farmers are concerned about for the next farm bill, even after the signing of the continuing resolution,” Rabinowitz said. “The way input costs have increased for crop production over the past few years has not been addressed by the current safety net programs. Labor issues are especially important for specialty crop producers, and new or beginning farmers continue to have challenges accessing land and capital.”
Looking Ahead
While the continuing resolution expires in September 2024, agricultural producers will hope for plans to be in place prior to the expiration. Rabinowitz said the extension is a welcome sight for Alabama farmers, but the timeframe surrounding the expiration will be critical with an election year on the horizon.
“The big question now is when we can expect the next farm bill,” Rabinowitz said. “The longer the process lasts through 2024 and gets closer to the presidential election, the less likely we get a new farm bill next year. Our agricultural producers, especially, need assurance of what government policies will affect their operations.”
More Information
For more information on the farm bill, visit aces.edu or contact Rabinowitz directly at anr0072@aces.edu with questions as he follows the farm bill process.