NORWICH – Despite drawn-out negotiations, United States law makers are optimistic a new farm bill will be put in place as early as next month, giving farmers and dairy consumers alike reason to breath a sigh of relief.

The long-awaited U.S. Farm Bill was a topic of discussion during a visit from Congressman Richard Hanna to the local yogurt manufacturer Sunrise Farms in Norwich last week. While it’s become clear the federal legislature will not pass a farm bill before the end of the year, hopes are high that the Senate and House of Representatives will reach an agreement on a new bill by the end of January, he said.

A new federal farm bill is adopted every five years. However, farmers nationwide have been without one since the 2008 Farm Bill expired in September after being given a year-long extension in 2012.