"Still work to be done." Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provides update on passage of Farm Bill

BOONE, IA. (WAND) — Day two of the Farm Progress Show was jammed pack with several events.

As thousands of people walked the grounds at the Farm Progress Show checking out the equipment and learning about the latest technological advancements.

The U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack gave an update on several things during a town-hall type of event Wednesday.

That includes the Farm Bill.

Right now, the current bill expired in September of last year.

But, most programs have continued through an extension. Those extensions will expire at the end of September of this year.

Secretary Vilsack said, there are a few things that are holding it up from getting passed.

"If it doesn't get done before the end of the year, or if there's not an extension before the end of the year, then there's some ramifications that are, pretty dire. So, I know that the folks, in both the House and the Senate are fully aware of that. And I know that they are committed. Each and every one of them to American farmers, ranchers and producers into rural America." said Vilsack.

Vilsack believes it's important for lawmakers to work on a bipartisan effort to get a deal done before the deadline.

"I think everyone in the process needs to be practical. And by that, I mean you have to take a look at what actual resources are indeed available for any new programs or expansions of existing programs and try to fit whatever you're proposing within the, the real cost and not a cost that's made up." said Vilsack.

Vilsack believes lawmakers on both the House and Senate are committed to making sure the bill gets across the finish line by the September 30th deadline.

WAND News will keep you updated on the progress of the bill passage.