Grassroots ADVOCACY POLICY EXPERTS MEMBER ENGAGEMENT WASHINGTON WATCH A tough row to hoe The farm bill debate is underway amid a struggling rural economy. By Mark Scanlan I t doesn't seem all that long ago since Congress passed the last farm bill, but the gears are already turning on the next one. The Agriculture Act of 2014-the latest farm bill reauthorization-expires in September 2018, and the House and Senate agriculture committees have already begun holding discussions and formal hearings. A strong farm bill provides stability for the volatile farm sector and incorporates important policies, such as price-support programs, crop insurance and loan guarantee programs. As a result, it is a top concern for many community banks. More than 3,000 community banks have agriculture portfolios of at least $5 million. As the new farm bill takes shape amid a crisis in the agricultural economy, ICBA is focused on ensuring it 22 ICBA IndependentBanker May 2017