big farm bill to be finalized by congress this fall

Legislation that could fund the construction of miles and miles of broadband infrastructure in rural areas across the country is expected to be approved by members of Congress either later this month or in September.

The massive 2018 Farm Bill will in effect extend the Agricultural Act of 2014, which is set to expire on September 30.

The $867 billion legislation will fund a variety of agricultural and economic development programs through loans and grants, including assistance for rural micro-entrepreneurs or micro enterprises.

Both the House and the Senate have approved their own versions of the legislation, with the American Planning Association recently announcing its preference for the Senate Bill, saying that it would “expand access to healthy food, improve rural economics and protect vital agricultural land and environmental resources.”

A conference committee is now tasked with reconciling the differences between the two bills.

By Garry Boulard