Ag groups and farm state lawmakers are making the case for more funding in the next farm bill due to the current state of the farm economy. Environmental Working Group’s Ag Policy Director Colin O’Neil says the problem with approving more funding for the farm bill, is that the current payments are going to the wealthiest farmers. So they’re asking for a change in how the farm program payments are allocated.

He says while the farm economy has been depressed, many farmers are still making more money than are those in jobs outside of agriculture.

O’Neil says even though Ag Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue has yet to be confirmed, ag committees are moving ahead with the new farm bill as quickly as possible to avoid possible gridlock in Washington.

O’Neil says rather than invest in agricultural subsidies, legislators should invest in in education, infrastructure and health care for the rural economy.