Zach Nunn, Nikki Budzinski: We’re putting Midwest priorities over party for the farm bill

As new representatives from Iowa and Illinois with many rural communities, we know that few states have a higher stake in our nation’s agriculture industry than our own. Our states are the top two producers of corn and soybeans in the nation — with Iowa also leading in pork and egg production and Illinois growing the most pumpkins and horseradish in the US.

We know Washington can’t seem to agree on much lately, but passing a strong, bipartisan farm bill that drives food production and feeds hungry families is what our country needs. That’s why, as freshman lawmakers from different parties, we’re fighting to get a farm bill reauthorization across the finish line this Congress.

For nearly 100 years, the farm bill has helped ensure our country has the means to maintain our own food supply, which is critical to both food security and national security. According to the American Farm Bureau, one farm in the U.S. feeds 166 people each year, and by 2050, the global population is expected to grow by 2.2 billion. This makes passing the 2023 farm bill imperative.

We believe a successful farm bill provides as much certainty as possible for a field that is riddled with unpredictability. Farmers are beholden to the weather, which can’t be controlled, a commodity market that could crash at any moment, and global instability threatening supply chains. That’s why we want a farm bill that protects crop insurance, commodity programs, and strong credit and lending opportunities.

We also agree that our next farm bill needs to support young and beginning farmers. That’s why we came together to introduce bipartisan legislation that could be incorporated into the bill to expand and improve pathways for the next generation of family farmers to access land, markets, and capital.

Not only will the farm bill help ensure that we can feed a growing population for years to come, but it can also be part of the solution to easing higher energy costs. Technology has only advanced since the last farm bill five years ago, and we believe developing alternative energy sources can be a major part of the next bill. As members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, we have advocated and pushed for year-round E15 sales to make cleaner, more affordable fuel more accessible for consumers. In the next farm bill, we can ensure farmers have access to credits to promote more renewable energy on their farm while maintaining their freedom to produce.

Additionally, we’re working together to enhance trade opportunities for farmers, maintain conservation programs, and foster rural development resources. Our states also have shared priorities in growing our land grant universities — Iowa State University and the University of Illinois — by ensuring they have every resource to help lead the U.S. in agricultural research. History has shown that we need to work in a bipartisan way to achieve this for our farmers.

As new lawmakers from Iowa and Illinois, we stand willing and ready to work together to get a strong 2023 farm bill across the finish line. This bipartisan bill is critical for our districts, for our states, and for the country.

Republican Zach Nunn represents Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. Democrat Nikki Budzinski presents Illinois' 13th Congressional District. They serve on the House Agriculture Committee.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Opinion: We're putting Midwest priorities over party in farm bill