(Grand Island Independent) -- TheIndependent.com reports that "Congress is preparing the groundwork for a new Farm Bill next year, but U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., said the ongoing budget problems facing the nation will impact the next Farm Bill." According to the story, Sen. Johanns recently said, “the annual cost of commodity programs has decreased from nearly $30 billion in 2000 to $10 billion in 2009." But one crop program, direct payments, may be in danger of being eliminated due to increased criticism and lack of federal dollars. "The problem when it comes to the federal agricultural budget, Johanns said, is that 83% is spent on domestic food assistance programs, mostly food stamps and the government's reduced-price lunch program. Because of the current economic downturn, demand for those nutritional programs is at a record high, he said."
