Several area farmers have been in a pinch because of this past year's weather and rising costs in the economy.

Now, the five year farm bill will soon be expiring, which could possibly put them in a bigger slump.

Farmers from around the area gathered Thursday morning in Pike County to hear of potential growth from Senator Jeff Sessions.

"We are in the midst of trying to pass a five year farm bill,” Sessions said. “The previous bill is expiring and it worked rather well."

The Senate and House have each approved major farm policy bills this year; however, a compromise has yet been made for a final copy to be sent to the president.

"That peanut program needs to be solid and well rounded so that we don't damage the peanut industry in Alabama, which is quite large," Sessions continued.

And, area farmers agree, saying a safety net is needed to insure that everything they put on the line each year will not be lost.

"We put our savings and our land on the line every year, you know, we need some kind of safety net guarantee to continue in the farm bill,” Local Farmer Frank Talbot said. “We can not be gambling farm away."

Carl Sanders, another local farmer said, "We really are in uncertain times right now with everything escalating and we just need the stability of a new farm bill."

Farmers say Thursday morning’s meeting was reassuring that their best interests are being handled with care.

Senator Sessions also visited Ozark Thursday afternoon, reassuring farmers of their future.

A timeline has yet to be set on when the bill will go before the president.