Over twenty trade associations representing various agricultural, food, environmental interest and other non-profit groups have launched a new organization and campaign called “Farm Bill For America’s Families: Sustaining Our Future” and are using it as a way to urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year. The campaign’s website features information about the legislation and asks the public to get involved in urging Congress to pass a new farm bill this year.
The farm bill is the most significant piece of legislation that affects agriculture in the U.S. It plays a critical role in protecting farmers’ livelihoods and making sure Americans have safe, nutritious food, including by supporting those facing hunger. The farm bill gives farmers and ranchers the tools they need to keep our farms and food supply secure in all seasons. Additionally, the farm bill funds nutrition programs like SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, as well as programs that support the U.S. agricultural sector, such as risk management, agricultural research and conservation programs.
The clock is ticking on a new farm bill, which is reauthorized every five years. The current farm bill expires September 30, 2023. Congress must pass and the president must sign a new farm bill this year in order to avoid havoc in America’s food and farm sector, as well as with key social safety net programs like SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (Women, Infant and Children), which help feed millions of Americans.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress have been struggling to reach a consensus on the new farm bill, which traditionally has been a bi-partisan effort. The GOP has the majority in the House of Representatives while Democrats hold the majority in the U.S. Senate.
The coalition is urging Congress to make passing a new farm bill a higher priority than it has so far this year.
“The farm bill is one of the most impactful pieces of legislation when it comes to protecting our food supply and food security, advancing conservation and environmental stewardship, and ensuring the men and women who produce our food are able to feed a growing population,” says Curtis Berry, chair of USA Rice Farmers, which is part of the coalition. “USA Rice is advocating that Congress prioritize passage of a new farm bill that ensures rice farmers can continue doing what they do best – growing rice – for generations to come,” Curtis added.
The farm bill supports more than 2 million U.S. farms covering nearly 900 million acres of land. It directly affects 46 million jobs in the country. It also supplies more than 9 billion meals each year to the 21 million American families who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Among the other additional organizations comprising the Farm Bill for America’s Families organization and campaign include the American Farm Bureau Association, the American Seed Trade Association, the American Sugar Alliance, the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities Board on Agriculture Assembly, the American Soybean Association, Ducks Unlimited, the Environmental Defense Fund, Farm Credit, Feeding America, the National Alliance of Forest Owners, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the Nations Association of Wheat Growers, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Cotton Council, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, the Nature Conservancy, the National Pork Producers Council, the United States Peanut Federation and the Nebraska, Virginia and New York Farm Bureaus.
The size and diversity of the groups making up the coalition is evidence of how important the farm bill is to food and agriculture in the U.S.
The fact all these groups have banded together to form the coalition also is evidence of the concern over getting a farm bill passed by the end of September 2023 deadline.
This is what the coalition, which is composed of agricultural, environmental, forestry, nutrition and hunger organizations, says it is currently doing to advocate for the farm bill.
Collaborating with partners and stakeholders who care about America’s farmers, the health of America’s natural resources, and the abundance of food, fiber and renewable fuels in our country.
Engaging the public on the importance of the farm bill through digital and media outreach.
Reaching out to members of Congress and staff, especially those new to the farm bill, to help them understand the bill’s significance and impact on every family in America.
The coalition has also launched a major outreach program, asking Americans to get involved in advocating on a grass roots level for the farm bill.
The organization – which says its mission is to protect America’s food security, support future job security, advance environmental sustainability and ensure farmers are able to continue stocking America’s pantries – is also looking for additional organizations that align with its mission to add to the coalition.
The goal of the Farm Bill For America’s Families group is to build a strong coalition as fast as possible that can influence Congress to make passing a farm bill one of its top priorities this year. Since the year is more than half over, that prioritization by Congress must come now.
The farm bill’s importance can’t be stressed enough. For example, it extends beyond the farm by protecting the country’s food supply, enables millions of jobs, and ensures access to food and nutrition for families and individuals facing hunger. The farm bill also protects farms and farmers against risks like weather disasters and fires, advances conservation efforts and spurs innovation through agricultural research.
Over the many decades since the first farm bill, Congress has built most of what is support for food and agriculture in America into the farm bill. Without it, for example, USDA would probably not be able to function and hunger in America would be unprecedented.
Covid-19 sent shock waves through U.S. food and agriculture starting in 2020. The most noticeable aspect being the supply chain crisis. Things have improved a lot but not fully.
On the hunger side, the highest food inflation since the late 1970s is straining the nation’s food programs, which are funded by the farm bill.
Congress needs to get to work and pass a bi-partisan farm bill, as the coalition is advocating. It’s the most important overall piece of domestic legislation on the table this year.
My Job Depends on Ag Magazine columnist and contributing editor Victor Martino is an agrifood industry consultant, entrepreneur and writer. One of his passions and current projects is working with farmers who want to develop their own branded food products. You can contact him at: victormartino415@gmail.com.
