Vanessa García Polanco, MS’ Post

Today, we’re throwing a spotlight on Senator Cory Booker for his outstanding support of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. Senator Booker’s 🌱Farmland for Farmers Act🌱 aims to protect farmland from corporate consolidation by limiting corporate ownership and leasing, thus keeping it in the hands of independent farmers and ranchers. The real winners? 👩🌾Our rural communities and farming families. 🌾400 million acres of U.S. farmland. 🌎A future for regenerative organic farming practices. “This legislation is a crucial step in safeguarding rural America by ensuring that farmland remains in the hands of family farmers and is easier to acquire for those who dream of farming. For our domestic food security and the strength of our economy, we should prioritize the autonomy of rural communities and end speculative corporate investments that drive small farms out of business.”- Senator Booker. #FarmLikeTheWorldDependsOnIt #RegenerativeOrganic #FamilyFarms

On track to be the most expensive Farm Bill in the country’s history, the approved draft proposes to bolster farm safety net payments for certain commodities, expand eligibility for disaster assistance and increase funding for specialty crops. 🔽 Much more here 🔽 https://ow.ly/22NI50S30sb #foodindustry #foodandbeverage #foodmanufacturing

House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson has introduced a significant $1.5 trillion farm bill aimed at bolstering safety-net programs and supporting our farmers. This package is set to spark a contentious debate, particularly in the Senate, as it crosses key red lines for Democratic leaders. Key Points: 🌟 Increased funding for safety net programs to support farmers facing inflation. 📈 Doubling of funds to help farmers access offshore markets. 🍓 Enhanced support for specialty crops and energy cost reductions. 🔍 Measures to track farmland purchases by foreign entities. However, the bill also introduces provisions limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, stirring opposition from senior Democrats. Despite these challenges, the House draft aims to expand SNAP access, improve anti-hunger initiatives, and remove lifetime bans for individuals with past felony drug convictions. 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e9EkGPPs Stay tuned to Farmers Hot Line for more updates as this legislative journey unfolds. #FarmersHotLine #FarmBill #FarmBill2024 #Agriculture #Farming

I recommend the below article from the Pennsylvania Capital-Star to those interested in #agricultureandfarming and the status of the next #FarmBill. The article provides a nice overview of the history of the Farm Bill as well the current status. While #Congress is polarized and appears to be gridlocked over many issues, it is too early to give up on a #Farm Bill. It is still possible to have one enacted before the end of the current Congress. If you want to see a Farm Bill, make sure you engage with your U.S. Representatives and Senators and share the importance of having sound #agriculture #publicpolicy enacted now. With the United States national #debt increasing about $1 trillion per quarter, enacting a Farm Bill will not get easier with the passage of time. #politics #farming

The Farm Bill is messy and exhausting and SO important.

A recently released House proposal for the overdue 2024 Farm Bill is sparking significant concerns. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack warns the bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Penn.), could cause an impasse due to proposed SNAP cuts and shifting disaster relief control to Congress. The bill could lead to a $30 billion cut to SNAP over the next decade. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, emphasizes the need for bipartisanship: “I'm committed to keeping it that way.” Tribal perspectives highlight the delay's impact on new opportunities for tribal producers. Abi Fain from the Intertribal Agriculture Council hopes to maintain momentum from the 2018 Farm Bill. The Native Farm Bill Coalition appreciates bipartisan efforts, but urges more inclusion of tribal priorities. It’s crucial to push for a Farm Bill that supports all communities, including tribal nations. Tribal Business News has the story. #FarmBill #Agriculture #SNAP #USDA #TribalNations #Bipartisanship #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture

According to studies, North Carolina is among one of the most threatened in terms of loss of farmland, with Henderson County being among the most endangered. Did you know that agriculture accounts for 16% of North Carolina's gross state product, equating to $103.2 billion in economic value? The preservation of farmland must not be delayed any further. Linda Odom Pryor, a farmer and advocate for farmland preservation, recently shared alarming projections that North Carolina could lose up to 1.6 million acres of agricultural land within the next 17 years. To put that number into perspective, it's equivalent to the land area of five counties: Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Buncombe, and Henderson. "Agricultural land loss affects everyone and there are serious implications when food and fiber production are decreased," Pryor said. "Preserving farmland is good for the economy, environment, and a safe and affordable food supply, as well as the rural character of our county." #FarmlandPreservation #FarmlandConservation #SupportFarmers #ResponsibleDevelopment #NorthCarolinaAgriculture #Economy #Environment #FoodSecurityIsNationalSecurity

A recently released House proposal for the overdue 2024 Farm Bill is sparking significant concerns. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack warns the bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Penn.), could cause an impasse due to proposed SNAP cuts and shifting disaster relief control to Congress. The bill could lead to a $30 billion cut to SNAP over the next decade. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, emphasizes the need for bipartisanship: “I'm committed to keeping it that way.” Tribal perspectives highlight the delay's impact on new opportunities for tribal producers. Abi Fain from the Intertribal Agriculture Council hopes to maintain momentum from the 2018 Farm Bill. The Native Farm Bill Coalition appreciates bipartisan efforts but urges more inclusion of tribal priorities. It’s crucial to push for a Farm Bill that supports all communities, including tribal nations. Tribal Business News has the story. #FarmBill #Agriculture #SNAP #USDA #TribalNations #Bipartisanship #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture

This is a fantastic article from The Food & Environment Reporting Network covering the many problems with the #farmbill, from its history of racial discrimination that denied black farmers of property rights and profits to misguided policy decisions that favor agribusiness over small farms and disincentivize practices that benefit climate and biodiversity. The 2018 Farm Bill was set to expire in the fall but was extended for a year. Will the new Farm Bill do any better than its predecessors at supporting more equitable and sustainable farming practices in our country and strengthening the livelihoods of family farmers? https://lnkd.in/eaEUKyCb

Farmers across the nation are facing more challenges due to climate change like extreme weather events, pests, and hotter, drier conditions. These challenges impact farmers’ productivity and take a toll on natural resources, which is why lawmakers need to hear their story and craft a Farm Bill that empowers our agribusinesses to keep America healthy for generations to come. This is exactly why our Co-Founder, jøn kent, visited Washington, DC to speak up and urge lawmakers to support urban farmers in last year's Farm Bill. 🗣 “It was an honor to speak with legislators about the vital issue of providing more resources to urban farmers, particularly those of color and marginalized backgrounds,” said jøn. “Cities play a vital role in securing healthy soils and food to ensure we are providing a sustainable future for all citizens. This issue is not just one of food security but one of national security. We have to work together to ensure all are equitably provided for, and this requires advocacy.” ⚖ It’s not just the work on the ground that matters -- to make a difference on a national scale, we need to push for legislation that supports sustainable agriculture and addresses climate change. Special thanks to Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) for the invite and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) along with many other organizations committed to sustainable agriculture for organizing the Rally for Resilience on March 7th 2023! Folks please keep an eye out for that Farm Bill! Read the full-featured article: https://lnkd.in/ddn-mEKZ #sustainability #community #climatechange #urbanfarming #detroit #farmadvocacy #reparations