Senator Mike Braun will be at the Liberty Bell Restaurant on Thursday, Feb 23 from 12:15 to 1:00 pm to discuss the farm bill with local residents.   The farm bill is a multi-year law that governs a wide variety of agricultural and food programs.  This legislative package is updated every five years and has a massive impact on all aspects of farming.  The bill addresses how food is grown, what kinds of foods are grown, crop insurance for farmers, healthy food access for low-income families, farmer training, support for sustainable farming practices, to name a few topics.  Senator Braun (R-IN), who serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, will be visiting with local citizens to collect feedback. 

The current farm bill expires in September 2023. A product of the New Deal, the first farm bill in 1933 focused on commodity price support to provide relief for farmers and ensure a steady supply of food for Americans during the Great Depression. There have been 18 farm bills passed since then, and its reach has grown over the decades. For example, Congress added a “conservation section” to the farm bill in 1985 and an “energy title” in 2002. The most recent farm bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, has 12 titles and includes programs for commodity crops, nutrition, trade, crop insurance, forestry and rural development. This is what legislators call “Farm Bill Season,” as lawmakers hear from constituents and begin reviewing, updating, and lobbying.  Let your voice be heard, contact Senator Braun at (317) 822-8240 or stop by the Liberty Bell on the 23rd .