The National Cattlemen and Beef Association held its summer convention this week at Reno, Nevada and a common topic of discussion was the upcoming farm bill legislation.  Alison Garrison serves as the Vice President for Government Relations.  She says one concern among cattle producers with the mid-term elections approaching this autumn is educating non-agricultural congressional members about the importance of the farm bill to farmers and ranchers.  She says the common starting point is to remind congressional members that we all consume food and we all need food.  Garrison says many urban-based congressional members are most interested in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, or SNAP as it relates to the farm bill.  She says separating SNAP from other farm-related programs in the farm bill is often difficult.  The NCBA representative says don’t expect to see much additional funding directed to the specific farm bill programs.  Garrison says depending on which political party wins the mid-term elections may determine the amount of spending directed for the farm bill.  Garrison suggests cattle producers, and everyone involved with agriculture, to talk with their elected officials and other political candidates.