"The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up the 2018 farm bill this week, amid early expectations that "bipartisan" support for the legislation may carry it across the finish line — unlike an effort that failed last month in the House.

The new farm bill, officially known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, covers everything from farm subsidies and food stamps to trade and rural development policy. Farmer assistance includes commodity payment programs, as well as subsidized crop insurance.

Yet critics say many of those safety net programs for farmers are wasteful, and not always necessary. They also contend the federal subsidies often go to large agricultural producers and the wealthy and does little for small family farmers."

Jeff Daniels reports for CNBC June 10, 2018. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Senate Unveils Farm Bill, Leaves Food Stamps Alone" (AP) [3]

Section-by-Section Summary of Senate Farm Bill (Senate Agriculture Committee) [4]