Support for Ag in Washington

 This week, South Dakota farmers and ranchers made the trip to the nation’s capital to advocate for policies that support agriculture.

A farm bill is now two years overdue. This, along with a trade war that is cutting off international markets for farmers in the state to sell to, is all becoming a dire concern.

David Reis, a Lyman County Farmer, said the farming community is being forced to tread lightly in their business.

Specifically, Reis is advocating for a policy that many conservative lawmakers have long supported: Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.

Last month, Representative Dusty Johnson echoed these claims, adding that he believes Americans should be aware of what is made in America so that they can recognize the sanitary and quality differences in products.

Some key issues to still be addressed in the skinny farm bill include expanding rural broadband and ensuring permanent price support laws.

Despite Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill addressing plenty of the issues usually addressed in a farm bill, some D.C. lawmakers have said they believe the “skinny” farm bill won’t get passed until 2026.