Farm Bill Now Coalition Unites Nation’s Farm
Groups in
Push for New Farm Bill
New website,
events in Iowa, DC, highlight effort to provide American farmers with
certainty, security
WASHINGTON, DC – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has
joined a coalition of 39 of the nation’s foremost agricultural organizations to
raise public awareness of the need for Congress to pass a new, comprehensive,
five-year farm bill before current farm programs expire in September.
The
coalition, called Farm Bill Now, comprises associations and coalitions
representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and
local governments, minor crops, energy and bio-based product groups, farm
cooperatives and financial groups, as well as the nation’s two largest farm
groups, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union.
Each organization has strong and distinct policy priorities, yet all 39 are
committed to passing a new, comprehensive bill this year.
The
group issued the following statement titled “Why We Need a Farm Bill,” on the
importance of new farm legislation for America’s farmers:
“Calling the farm bill the ‘farm bill’ suggests its impact is
limited only to farms and to the rural areas to which they are so closely tied.
It’s really a jobs bill. A food bill. A conservation bill. A research bill. An
energy bill. A trade bill. In other words, it’s a bill that affects every
American.
“The farm bill affects our nation’s ability to provide the
necessities of life for a global population projected to pass 9 billion by
2050. Here at home, it affects an industry that provides 23 million—or 1 in
every 12—American jobs.
“The farm bill has broad impact on our citizens and our economy. It
provides healthy foods to millions of schoolchildren and nutritious options to
families in need. It develops and expands trade with valuable foreign markets.
By reducing spending significantly compared to prior farm bills, the proposals
pending right now in Congress address the need to get our nation’s fiscal house
in order.
“And yes, it benefits American farms—98 percent of which are owned
and operated by families. It helps big farms and small farms, major crops and
specialty crops, organic farmers and conventional farmers, cattle ranchers and
cotton ginners, farmers markets and national suppliers, and the vast range of
other pursuits that make up American agriculture. This year, it would help
farmers tackle the challenges posed by the worst drought in a generation.
“While Congress waits to finish the farm bill, we are united in
asking all Americans to encourage legislators—home for summer town hall
meetings and speeches—to finish this vital legislation before the current farm
and food law expires in September. After all, it’s your bill, too.”
In addition to the statement,
Farm Bill Now launched an interactive web portal at www.FarmBillNow.com, through which visitors
can connect with their members of Congress and show their support for a new
five-year farm bill. Using messages to Congress via social media, event
locations and times and an online petition, FarmBillNow.com gives farmers and consumers the
resources they need to make their voices heard, telling Congress that the farm
bill needs to be completed before the current farm food law expires in
September.
In the coming weeks, Farm Bill Now will hold events in Iowa and on Capitol Hill to underscore the
message.
On the afternoon of
Tuesday, August 28, farmers representing multiple groups within the coalition
will discuss the Farm Bill Now effort at the annual Farm Progress Show in
Boone, Iowa, the nation’s largest outdoor farm show.
On the morning of September
12, coalition representatives will gather at the U.S. Capitol to encourage
Congress to pass the bill before programs expire.
For more information on
Farm Bill Now and to get involved in ensuring that American agriculture has the
security and certainty that it needs, please visit FarmBillNow.com.
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Farm Bill Now is a coalition of 39 agricultural groups,
each with strong and varied policy priorities, yet all committed to passing a
farm bill this year. Learn more at www.FarmBillNow.com.
