Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today called for action on a Farm Bill at the “Farm Bill Now” rally in Washington D.C. The rally was co-hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union. It was endorsed by 90 associations and coalitions representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, consumers, state and local governments and others. Rep. Noem focused on the far-reaching impacts of a Farm Bill and called for action on a Farm Bill. Video and partial transcript below:

Partial Transcript:

“Farmers Feed America is not just a slogan, it’s what we do and it’s what we’re dedicated to doing every single day. I grew up on a family farm and ranch where we raised corn, wheat and soybeans, and also beef cattle, and I farmed for years with my family. … Every single [South Dakota] farmer is responsible for feeding 155 people. That means that in my great state of South Dakota, there’s 46,000 producers, South Dakota feeds 7 million people. That’s our job.

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“Global food prices have gone up 10 percent between June and July. That’s partly impacted by the drought that we’ve seen in this country. But every single family in this country feels the pain when food prices go up.

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“Food is a national security issue. The minute that we don’t grow our own food in this country and we rely on another country to feed us that’s when we truly are in peril. That’s when they control us. That’s when they control our decision making.

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“I’ve heard a lot of excuses as to why this Farm Bill isn’t done yet. And frankly I’m tired of excuses. Washington D.C. makes up too many excuses. I’m not taking it anymore, I hope you aren’t taking it anymore. Let’s get to work and let’s get a Farm Bill now.”