“The Senate and the House Committee on Agriculture have already passed their own versions of the farm bill and the full House must act soon,“ NFU President Roger Johnson noted in the letter. “As such, I urge you to sign the letter to request a meeting with Leader Cantor in order to move the farm bill process forward.“

Also on September 12, Republican Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, filed a discharge petition to get the 2012 farm bill voted on by the full House. If a majority of the House of Representatives signs the petition, the bill will be automatically taken to the floor to be voted on.

“The filing of this discharge petition is necessary because House leadership has refused to bring the bill to the floor. We are encouraging all of our members to contact their representatives to stress the importance of signing the petition and force Congress to act,“ said Mr Johnson.

Mr Johnson served as one of the emcees of the September 12 “Farm Bill Now!“ rally that featured speakers from the Senate, the US House of Representatives and leaders from supporting organizations who each echoed the need to pass a farm bill as soon as possible.

More than 200 Farmers Union members joined hundreds of other rally supporters to hear the speakers. 89 organisations representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy specialty crops, consumers, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and bio-based product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups, endorsed the rally.