With the midterm elections potentially changing the balance of power in the U.S. Capitol building, other alliances traditionally form around one of the biggest spending bills authorized by Congress every five years.

Lawmakers from both parties often shed typical partisan alliances for more rural vs. urban interests for the Farm Bill, a comprehensive package that not only focuses on subsidies and land laws for agriculture, but also includes spending for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits and school lunches, crop insurance, energy policies, and more.

Tracy Gathman with Two Rivers Cooperative in Pella says while he doesn’t have a crystal ball to predict what could all be included, he knows that all of Iowa’s congressional delegation could have a major impact on what ultimately ends up in the legislation — and he doesn’t expect sweeping changes to any policies considering the divided nature of the House and Senate.

Lawmakers will need to have an agreement in place by September 2023 to extend any current policies, as its due for renewal every five years. Hear more from Gathman about the latest in local agriculture on the Let’s Talk Pella podcast.