GARDEN CITY, Minn. -
Farmers are already looking ahead toward next year's growing season.
But as they do, there's a high amount of uncertainty, thanks to a stalled farm bill in Washington.
Speaking to a handful of farmers, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn. stressed the importance of agriculture in southcentral Minnesota. But there is one issue on the minds of many farmers--there's no farm bill.
"Without that being passed, there's just a lot of uncertainty out there," said farmer Rick Grommersch.
The Senate passed its version of the bill, which is designed to eliminate direct payments to farmers, expand crop insurance, and reform nutrition programs.
But the bill has stalled in the House. Critics say the legislation is too big financially, and should not include food stamp programs.
"Congress doesn't get back until after the election, and there's no assurance that the House is going to take it up then," said Franken.
"Everybody's planning for the 2013 crop already and...with the uncertainty as to whether the farm bill is going to get passed, or what things are going to get put in it, you know it's a big part of farming," said Grommersch.
Grommersch say Congress' inaction has left a lot of unanswered questions.
"What insurance is going to cost, as to what you're going to plant for next year and things like that," Grommersch said. "So the biggest part for me is the risk management."
Franken says one of the key elements of the legislation would provide financial coverage to farmers in the event of losses.
"This is about creating a safety net for acres that you're actually planting," Franken said.
