Congress is back on recess until mid-November. Quick editions will replace NAWG’s regular publications until then unless news warrants more in-depth coverage. The most up-to-date information from NAWG is always available online at www.twitter.com/wheatworld.

President Abraham Lincoln once observed “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” But that seems to be exactly Congress’ strategy, with both the House and Senate scheduled to recess at the end of this week without completing reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill.

Unbelievably, Members of Congress are headed out of town on Friday having not passed a new farm bill or extended the old one. This means that on Oct. 1, authorization for farm and food policies spanning the breath and depth of our economy will have expired.

The National Wheat Foundation is pleased to announce the 10 participants selected for the 2012 Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (WILOT) training program.

Supporters of new, long-term farm and food policy continued this week to press the issue politically and procedurally in the face of House Leadership that is intransigent in its unwillingness to take up the House Agriculture Committee-approved bill.

Farmers from around the country put on business suits and headed to the Capitol lawn Wednesday morning, united with nutrition, energy and conservation advocates in a clear message: pass a farm bill, now.

Members of Congress arrived in Washington this week ready to undertake their most basic work – funding the government – and then head back home.

We hope you find this quick update useful. Congress and the complete editions of our regular publications will return next week.