As farmers, ranchers and rural communities grapple with a devastatingly weak farm economy, nearly 200 organizations, including AFBF and several state Farm Bureaus, are urging congressional budget writers to reject calls for additional cuts to farm bill programs.

The bipartisan, budget-neutral 2018 farm bill was built upon the previous farm bill, which made a significant contribution to deficit reduction, the groups pointed out.

“These difficult cuts in 2014 resulted from hard choices made in partnership with agricultural leaders and were designed to substantially reform the farm safety net, conservation initiatives and nutrition assistance – ultimately reducing the financial support provided to America’s farmers and ranchers,” the coalition members wrote in a letter sent to House and Senate Budget and Appropriations committee leaders.

The coalition consists of nearly 200 organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and several state Farm Bureaus. Colorado Farm Bureau joined the coalition and is working to inform the Colorado congressional delegation of the importance of maintaining funding levels as passed in the 2018 Farm Bill.