News

Talk of separating SNAP from Farm Bill not dying out

There’s continued talk of separating the Nutrition Title from the next Farm Bill.

Minnesota Farm Bureau member Pam Uhlenkamp joined others from the state organization meeting with Congressional officials in Washington D.C. this week.

She says special interest groups are steadfastly working to remove the SNAP program from the 2018 Farm Bill.

“There has been talk.  There have been rumors that they want to pull those two pieces apart.  I think if we go that route, not only is the Supplemental Nutrition Program going to lose funding, but so will the farm piece of it.”

Passing a Farm Bill containing SNAP remains a priority for Farm Bureau and many other ag organizations.

Uhlenkamp tells Brownfield what she’s hearing from lawmakers is encouraging.

“As we talk to our 10 (Minnesota) Congressional offices, I think the feel is (separating SNAP and the Farm Bill) is a long-shot.”

Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson, the Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee, argues the Farm Bill would not receive enough Congressional support to pass if nutrition was not included in the legislation.