Farm Bill agreement drawing positive reaction - KFYR-TV

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Farm Bill next week, and reaction to the bill is positive. There's no changes to the SNAP Program, also known as food stamps, but the ban on hemp production has been lifted.

SNAP advocates are calling this a big win and ranchers are also celebrating the encompassing bill with new cattle protections.

North Dakota cows deal with a lot in terms of weather, but now the Farm Bill is protecting them from foot and mouth disease.

"It's not something you can start after it's already happened, so we need to be prepared because it's a huge impact economically,” said Dan Rorvig, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

The bill creates a national vaccine bank. North America is recognized as free from the disease, but it has been found in 34 countries in the last 18 months according to the state Department of Agriculture. Protecting food is important, but the farm also protects access to food for people using the SNAP program.

"There's no additional paperwork burdens either to the people who participate or the state agencies who run the program,” said Karen Ehrens, a registered dietician and SNAP advocate.

The initial House bill would have made work eligible recipients prove they work 20 hours per week, participate in a work program or participate in SNAP Employment and Training. But other education programs were added.

"The Farm Bill makes permanent the nutrition incentive program that helps get a few more benefits for purchasing healthier foods, like fruits and vegetables, and the Farm Bill maintains the SNAP education program which helps get nutrition education to people,” said Ehrens.

Farmers and ranchers won't have to worry about another Farm Bill fight for five years.

More than 53,000 people in North Dakota receive SNAP benefits every month, with about 45 percent of them being children according to the state Department of Human Services. In 2017, SNAP benefits went to more than 42 million Americans.

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