Join thousands from across the nation by signing the petition below...
Demand Congress invest in healthy farms, food, and people!
Dear Congress,
For the sake of our nation’s health, our farmers, and our natural resources, we need you to do your job. We need a better Farm Bill, and we need it this year!
An equitable, sustainable, 21st century Farm Bill must:
- INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHY FARMS, FOOD, and PEOPLE
- PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS AIR, SOIL, and WATER
- REFORM FARM SUBSIDIES and LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD
Signed,
For the sake of our nation’s health, our farmers, and our natural resources, we need you to do your job. We need a better Farm Bill, and we need it this year!
An equitable, sustainable, 21st century Farm Bill must:
- INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHY FARMS, FOOD, and PEOPLE
- PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS AIR, SOIL, and WATER
- REFORM FARM SUBSIDIES and LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD
Signed,
This petition is no longer active.
Learn More: Timing, Expriation and Impacted Programs
Every five years, Congress takes on the task of reauthorizing the Farm Bill, which establishes U.S. food and farm policy. This year, Congress—specifically the U.S. House of Representatives—failed to get the job done, and on October 1, the Farm Bill expired.
Congress is currently in recess until after the election. On November 13, they will return for a very busy lame duck session, at which point they will have the opportunity to amend and pass a Farm Bill. If Congress fails to take action before the new Congress enters office in January, then it will be back to square one in both the House and Senate.
The Farm Bill expiration now effectively halts new enrollment for programs that help to drive innovation, support the next generation of farmers, conserve our natural resources, and invest in local economic development.
Affected programs include:
- National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program
- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
- Farmers’ Market Promotion Program
- Value-Added Producer Grants
- Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
- Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives
- Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
- Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
- Specialty Crop Research Initiative
- Conservation Reserve Program - Transitioning Incentives Program
- Grasslands Reserve Program
- Wetlands Reserve Program
- Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Additional Resources:
OEFFA’s Farm Bill webpage
OEFFA factsheet: "Farm Policy Matters: Passing a Sustainable Farm Bill"
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Blog
NSAC 2012 Farm Bill factsheet: Protecting Our Base, Shaping Our Future
NSAC 2012 Farm Bill factsheet: Working Lands Conservation Programs: Responding to Drought and Weather Extremes
NSAC 2012 Farm Bill factsheet: Down Payment on Agricultural Reform
