Nebraska producers are weighing in on a new farm bill.
Pam Potthoff, President of Women Involved in Farm Economics, says she's concerned the bill isn't moving.
Potthoff says the September 30 deadline doesn't leave much time for congressional debate.
"It won't be an easy thing, nor should it be, but the fact is we've got some work to do," Rep. Adrian Smith says.
Smith heard from producers in Aurora Wednesday on what they want to see in a new bill.
"It's not a farm bill, it's a food bill, because everyone has to eat," Potthoff says. "The whole idea of protecting farmers is to protect our food supply."
Smith says the most consistent message he's heard from producers is the need for insurance when they've experienced natural disasters.
Though agriculture has been profitable for the past few years, producers know that won't always be the case.
"We live in cycles and there will be a time again when profitability will be a question in either in grains or livestock or both," Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson says.
Nelson says in case of a catastrophic year for crops, producers say they'd like to have a federal program in place they can rely on.
"Additional support in those kinds of times would be very important," Nelson says.
But based on the country's current economic state, Nelson says they're not expecting a higher level of support than any other group.
"We know that there will be less money for agriculture but there'll be less money for every program," Nelson says.
But those who produce the food that feeds the country say farm bill or no farm bill in 2012, they'll continue doing what they do best.
"If it gets passed before the election, after the election, or sometime next year, we're not going to stop putting crops in the ground," Potthoff says.
Smith's stop in Aurora was the third on his farm bill listening tour. He also spoke with people in Gering and McCook.
