WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin made a stop in the local area to show his support for the farm bill. The Senate passed the bill back in June, but it's still stalled in the House.

The measure lays out a five-year funding plan for the Department of Agriculture, which includes subsidies for crop insurance.

Farmers hope the subsidies don't burn up like their crops.

"The window on soybeans is a little bigger than corn," said Joe Murphy, who farms in Williamson County.

Murphy still has some hope for his soybeans this season, but he's not betting on it.

"There may not be the quality. That's something I don't know for sure yet," he said.

Murphy and a room full of southern Illinois farmers shared their concerns with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Thursday morning.

"Those who've been in the business for a while know there are ups and downs. And we're hoping there will be an up here and coming," said Durbin.

That 'up' he's referring to hinges on Congressional passage of the farm bill.

But as crops wither away, the House can't reach an agreement because food stamp funding is included in that bill, and conservative lawmakers want more cuts.

Crop insurance subsidies are a part of it too, and Durbin said Illinois farmers need that financial assistance to recover.

"People have to make plans, and borrow money, and decide what's going to happen to the future of their operation," he said.

Murphy said crop insurance is essential for farmers to stay afloat.

"This is something that we pay a premium for to help cover our risk," said Murphy.

He's still keeping an eye out, hoping a little more rain in the next couple of weeks will make his soybeans salvageable.

Durbin also told the group of farmers early reports show both corn and soybean production will be down about 12 percent nationwide. There's also talk about slowing down ethanol production to save some of that corn.