Agriculture & Food: Focus on the Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is notable for maintaining a safety net for farmers, establishing important conservation programs, and funding essential nutrition and food assistance programs, both domestically and internationally. However, wide reforms are needed to improve the Farm Bill and its components.

 

We have this opportunity to do so only every 5-6 years: that's how often the Farm Bill is reviewed and reauthorized by Congress.

 

Senate and House Agriculture committees have completed new bills. These are now moving to the full Senate and House for their respective debates and floor votes. If all goes well, they will complete their work this summer.

 

Catholic Rural Life is working with many faith, family farm and sustainable agriculture groups to advocate for a fair and just Farm Bill. (See below for our main coalition partners.) We call on Congress to authorize a new bill by September 30th this year -- when the old bill expires.

 

The Farm Bill is an opportunity to shape the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of American farms and our food system. This requires greater public awareness and grassroots participation in the policy-making process to ensure that necessary reform happens.

 

See the MENU items at right for our perspectives on the Farm Bill and positions we'll be advocating.

 

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Coalition Advocacy

As many of our long-time members know, we partner with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, which is a coalition of family farm and conservation groups from around the country.

NCRLC also coordinates advocacy actions with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA.