HURON, S.D. – -It’s been over seven years since the last Farm Bill was passed. Some producers are asking whether, when a new farm bill is in place, it will address producers’ current challenges.

Talking to farmers across the state is an essential part of the job for Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. He also watches any movement on the progress of the Farm Bill.

“The House has already passed the farm bill,” said Sombke. “They passed it without any SNAP programs in it. Okay. But now it’s going into the Senate Agriculture Committee. And what’s really holding it up is the fact that SNAP is not included.”

He sees certain members of Congress trying to help.

“Chairman in the House Ag Senator Bozeman, he’s doing the best he can,” said Sombke.

Republican US Senator John Boozman, with Senate Appropriations, asked Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins about the $11.1 billion in emergency relief request, but also wants to know the long-term plan.

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“The supplemental assistance is important in keeping our farmers going, but it’s not the answer,” said Senator John Boozman.

“The effort to bring the cost of inputs down is real. Fertilizer, seed, labor, interest rates, et ceteranumber one. And if we can just get inputs back down to where they were in Trump One, we’re going to have a remarkable recovery,” said Secretary Rollins.

Sombke thinks a fresh approach could be the answer.

“Farmers Union has a program. IMSET. It’s Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool. It’s a new plan; it’s a new concept. Or can use it on their own farm, make it work for them. And if it doesn’t work for you, no big deal, and our plan is not to have to use it. That’s the whole point,” said Sombke.

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Sombke remembered previous South Dakota senators holding listening sessions ahead of a farm bill, including Tom Daschle.

“I can’t remember the last time that John (Thune) hosted one here,” said Sombke. “Congress needs to start listening to us, not the corporate world. A farm bill should be taking care of the people.”

Sombke believes the farm bill should be taking care of everyone in the country, from the hungry to the farmers.