The reauthorization of the omnibus Farm Bill can reduce food insecurity, benefit the environment, and increase agricultural equity across the country. For nearly a century, this piece of legislation has evolved to meet the needs of farmers and consumers from farm to table.
Roughly every five years, the Farm Bill undergoes reauthorization, where legislative changes are made to the previous bill to meet current-day market and economic conditions. The next reauthorization is in 2023; Congress can allocate funding to program initiatives that mitigate hunger, alleviate rural poverty, and increase efforts in environmental conservation.
The expansive nature of the Farm Bill funds various programs, such as healthy food access for low-income communities; crop insurance; conservation stewardship initiatives; nutrition programs like SNAP and TEFAP; and farmer training for sustainable agriculture. Because the Farm Bill is vast, there are benefits included for everyone, signifying just how important and powerful the bill is.
Since the early 1930s, Congress has passed 18 Farm Bills; the most recent was signed off by President Trump – the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. If a farm bill isn’t reauthorized, or for example, doesn’t pass in 2023, then the bill will return to its original format from 1949. Therefore, it’s necessary for Congress to ensure reauthorization to keep legislation current with modern-day economic and market standards.
Last Thursday, Bread for the World held their Southwest Regional meeting for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Bread for the World is a faith-based organization focused on ending hunger and promoting public policies that support its mission. During the meeting, they highlighted some of the agricultural and hunger difficulties the nation faces, such as the lack of diversity among farmers—95% being only white individuals—and how only 2% of cropland is used to grow fruits and vegetables. Additionally, over 38 million people face food insecurity, and children who grow up food insecure and live in food swamps are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and are five times more likely to be obese.
However, the Farm Bill can fund programs that help alleviate some of those agricultural and food challenges. The 2023 bill can strengthen food security, improve the domestic food supply and ensure quality produce while also providing job enhancement for the nearly 21.5 million employees in the food and agricultural fields. Funding can also be directed to increase land conservation through sustainable agriculture and research; improve risk management from crop loss, natural disasters, and inflation; and mitigate hunger with nutrition programs aimed at providing a healthy and affordable lifestyle for low-income communities.
As Senate hearings for the 2023 Farm Bill are currently in progress, it’s essential to pressure Congress to implement the best possible strategies to improve social equity, end hunger, and follow through on climate promises. Additionally, as members of faith, we have a continual role to play in the reauthorization process. I encourage you to follow this link and join Bread for the World as they make strides in hunger advocacy; learn more about how to reach your representative, engage your church, and be politically active.