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A New Farm Bill

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Every five years, Congress drafts a new federal Farm Bill, which determines how tens of billions of dollars are spent on what’s grown on the landscape and who grows it, as well as the environmental impact of production systems, the safety of our food, and the economic health of rural communities. On Aug. 16, 2022, the Land Stewardship Project launched its platform for the new Farm Bill, which is currently being drafted by Congress.* This document was developed by farmer-leaders who belong to LSP’s Farm Bill Organizing Committee, and is based on a survey LSP, working with the National Young Farmers Coalition, Midwest Farmers of Color Collective, and others, undertook during the winter and spring of 2022. The survey of farmers and farm food system workers in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin covered several topics, including: consolidation in agriculture, conservation and the effect of climate change, crop insurance reform, access to markets and regional food systems, and the barriers beginning and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) farmers face.

The survey, along with eight listening sessions LSP held with farmers and others across the region, revealed that current agricultural policy imposes numerous barriers to farmers while propping up large-scale corporate operations. LSP has used these results to develop a Farm Bill platform that addresses market consolidation, stops supporting the growth of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), supports beginning and BIPOC farmers, bolsters regenerative farming practices that build soil, and helps make regional food systems economic engines in local communities.

Download a pdf Copy of the Farm Bill Platform Here

 

* The current Farm Bill was due to expire in fall 2023. However, Congress has extended the current law until September 30, 2024.

  • Sign Up for Farm Bill Updates & Action Alerts

LSP's Farm Bill Values

  • Use public resources for public good.
  • Invest in people to build local communities vital for economic resilience.
  • Uphold the interdependence of urban and rural communities.
  • Acknowledge and address the history and legacy of inequities in the food system.
  • Value land stewardship and regional food systems.
  • Reward crop diversity and soil health as essential for our future.
  • Recognize the contributions of and institute protections for food system workers, including farm and meat processing workers.
  • Acknowledge that farmers are on the front lines of the climate crisis, and this challenge demands bold solutions.

LSP's Farm Bill Platform Executive Summary

LSP’s Farm Bill Platform calls for change in five specific areas:

1) Consolidation:

  • Restore competition to the marketplace and level the playing field for small farmers and ranchers.
  • Break up monopolies and enforce antitrust laws.
  • Reduce funding supporting farms that are not taking care of their soil and communities.

2)  Conservation & Climate:

  • Create funding streams for new and innovative sustainable practices, and eliminate funding for practices that harm rural communities and the environment.
  • Allocate fewer or no subsidies to the largest/industrial cropping operations, and stop providing public funds to large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) seeking to install manure management and methane digesters.
  • Direct programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) toward operations that are implementing regenerative practices like managed rotational grazing, agroforestry, and perennial crops, and ensure funding is accessible to farmers with small-scale conservation projects.
  • Provide additional targeted outreach and education for conservation programs such as CSP and EQIP.
  • Make CSP an easier program to use and apply for, especially for organic producers, and limit funding that goes toward factory farm-style production.

3)  Crop Insurance Reform:

  • Put payment caps on crop insurance subsidies that the largest, industrial farms receive.
  • Incentivize climate-resilient practices through crop insurance programs.
  • Target crop insurance programs to support beginning farmers.
  • Reduce crop insurance premium costs for farmers implementing soil health and conservation practices.

4)  Young, Beginning, and BIPOC Farmers:

  • Reduce the turnaround time for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan approval to meet the market pace for land sales and create a pre-approval mechanism for FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loans.
  • Address concerns around realities that often the FSA loan process cannot compete with standard real estate transactions.
  • Support programs that encourage and incentivize transitions to young/beginning/BIPOC farmers. This includes programs that support farmland preservation and easements to reduce development of productive agricultural land and facilitate land access.
  • Create pathways to support land transition, apprenticeships and mentorships, as well as legacy planning work.
  • Provide additional and culturally-appropriate technical assistance services (including in multiple languages) so that beginning farmers can access USDA programs.
  • Provide direct financial support for land ownership by creating grant initiatives such as direct assistance provided in the Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Program.
  • Support incubator and cooperative farms through additional funding (including for personnel and operations) to increase access to tools, infrastructure, equipment, and training for young/beginning/BIPOC farmers.

5)  Regional Food Systems:

  • Facilitate market access through outreach, additional funding, and technical assistance programs.
  • Allow for the development of infrastructure that connects producers to consumers and builds strong and resilient regional food systems.
  • Increase funding and support for farmers’ markets, including programs that enable customers to purchase produce from local farmers.
  • Protect critical investments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at a time of rising food prices and food insecurity.

Aug. 16, 2022: LSP Farm Bill Released

On Aug. 16, 2022, the Land Stewardship Project launched our Farm Bill Platform at Legvold Farms in Northfield, Minn. Check out the press release here.

A crowd gathered at Legvold Farms on Aug. 16, 2022, to discuss LSP’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform.

Media Coverage

•  Fillmore County Journal: Write a farm bill for farmers, not corporate interests (5/15/23)

• Public News Service: MN Family Farms Make Their Case for Farm Bill Inclusion (5/5/23)

• Mankato Free Press: Farm Bill Should Include Provisions to Address Climate Change (4/28/23)

• The McLeod County Chronicle: 2023 Farm Bill Priorities (4/26/23)

• Star Tribune: Minnesota farmer needs a truck with a cooler; Congress’ farm bill could help (4/26/23)

• Ag Week:  Small-scale producers share with Rep. Angie Craig how crop insurance doesn’t work for them (4/19/23)

• Lancaster Farming: Farmers March on Washington to Demand Climate Legislation (3/8/23)

• Brownfield Radio Network: Farmers for Climate Action Rallying in D.C. (3/7/23)

• Minnesota Reformer: We Need a Transformative Farm Bill (9/26/22)

• Food Freedom Radio: LSP farmer-member Darrel Mosel and LSP organizer Sarah Goldman discuss the need for a 2023 Farm Bill that supports farmers, communities, and the land. (9/17/22)

• Northfield News: Regional Farmers Hear Farm Bill Priorities (8/23/22)

Farm Bill Fact Sheets

• What is the Federal Farm Bill?

• Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act

• Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Improvement Act

 

Learn More

  • Tell Your Senator to Support Land Access Legislation

    April 1, 2024

    Our farm and food system is more resilient and just with more farmers stewarding the land, growing food for their communities, but so many people…

    Action Alerts
    emerging farmers, Farm Bill, farmland access, federal ag policy, LASO Act, Sen. Tina Smith
    Tell Your Senator to Support Land Access Legislation
  • Advocating for a Farm Bill for People & the Land in D.C.

    April 1, 2024

    The Federal Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation shaping our farm and food system. It spends over $1.5 trillion on nutrition…

    Blog
    Campaign for Family Farms & the Environment fly-in, consolidation, emerging farmers, Farm Bill, federal ag policy, land access, LASO Act, National Young Farmers Coalition
    Advocating for a Farm Bill for People & the Land in D.C.
  • Ear to the Ground 305: Farm Bill as a Public Good

    LSP farmer-members talk about how the 2023 Farm Bill could benefit the land, people, and rural communities (2nd of 2 parts).
    More Information
    • Ear to the…

    Ear to the Ground 305: Farm Bill as a Public Good

Contact

Sean Carrol, LSP policy & organizing director e-mail, 612-400-6359

Upcoming Events

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October 2025

Saturday October 18

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pasture Walk: Real World Tools to Extend the Grazing Season
Saturday October 18
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pasture Walk: Real World Tools to Extend the Grazing Season
Nestingen Road, Nestingen Rd, Coon, WI 54667, USA

Valley Stewardship Network will host a pasture walk demonstrating various strategies for extending the grazing season. The event will be held on the Zinn Family Farm in rural Westby.

As input costs rise, livestock producers may want to consider extending the grazing season. Stockpile grazing and bale grazing are two proven methods to achieve this goal. 

The Zinn Family has been utilizing these practices for years on their rural Westby farm. Join us to see stockpiling, bale grazing, and winter water systems in a real-world setting.

For more information, or to RSVP, contact Evan Dvorsak at 608-632-6166 (call/text) or evan@valleystewardshipnetwork.org. Snacks will be provided. Details are also available in this flier.

Funding for this event is provided by the USDA’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI).

Thursday October 23

8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Thursday October 23
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Farm to School & Early Care Grants Deadline
Online

School is back in session and this week’s cool temps definitely remind us all that fall is just around the corner. This time of the year also means that the application period is open for Minnesota’s Farm to School and Early Care grants.

Earlier this year, the Land Stewardship Project and our partners were successful in expanding funding for the AGRI Farm to School and Early Care program. The application window for the next round of funding is now open and will close at 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23.

APPLY FOR FUNDING HERE

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is serving up two funding opportunities to help schools and early childhood education (ECE) centers buy Minnesota-grown and -raised foods. 

1.    First Bite Grants: Up to $5,000 (no match required) to kickstart local food purchasing through intentional, high-impact activities. 
2.    Full Tray Grants: Up to $35,000 (1:1 match required) to help experienced schools and ECE centers increase or expand their local food purchases. 

Equipment funding: First Bite and Full Tray applicants can also request up to $25,000 (1:1 match required) to support the purchase of kitchen equipment that will enhance their capacity to buy, prepare, and serve local foods.  

 These grants are open to: 
•    Public or private K-12 schools or school districts in Minnesota that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
•    Early childhood education (ECE) centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Minnesota

MDA encourages schools, districts, and ECE centers serving sovereign tribal nations to apply. 

 Local Tots Cost-Share Program
There are also funds available to reimburse family child care providers for buying Minnesota-grown and -raised foods used for meals and snacks as part of the the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

Interested providers must submit a Local Tots Cost-Share program Letter of Intent to participate. Award amounts will be up to $1,000 and there is a 1:1 cash match required for providers who received a Local Tots Cost-Share award in 2025. There is no cash match required if you are new to the program. 

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, October 23, 2025. 

 Program details and online applications are available at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/farm-school-early-care-programs or by contacting the Grants Team at MDA.AGRIgrants@state.mn.us. 

 Want to learn more about eligibility, allowable expenses, and how to apply?

 Join the MDA for a virtual info session: 
First Bite and Full Tray Grant Info Session 
September 15, 2025, 2-3 p.m.
Register here

 Local Tots Cost-Share Info Session – for family child care providers
September 18, 2025, 1-2 p.m.
Register here

Farmers: Are you Interested in selling to a school near you? 
Send this opportunity along to the food service director at schools near you or connect with a Regional Local Food Coordinator to help you make connections with schools, childcare settings, and other opportunities to sell locally. These positions are supported by the Department of Education and Renewing the Countryside.

Saturday October 25

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Saturday October 25
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Madison Public Library - Central, 201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

During the Wisconsin Book Festival, Curt Meine will talk about the book in a discussion with author Sonja Trom Eayrs (Dodge County, Incorporated), in a session on “The Fight for Rural America.” 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

Tuesday October 28

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
MDA Grants Webinar
Tuesday October 28
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
MDA Grants Webinar
Zoom online

Are you interested in applying for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)? On Tuesday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m., the Land Stewardship Project will be holding an online webinar on four grants that will be available this fall. MDA staffers will go over the details of these grants and how to apply for them.

 To sign-up, click here.  

 This webinar will feature information on four grants:

– AGRI Livestock Investment Grant

– AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant 

– Preparing for Extreme Weather (Prepare) Grant

– AGRI Protecting Livestock from Avian Influenza (Protect) Grant 

For more information, contact LSP’s Alex Kiminski at akiminski@landstewardshipproject.org.

Wednesday October 29

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
Wednesday October 29
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Book Event: We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, 2800 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA

The Johnson Center for Land Stewardship Policy is excited to share that one of our its primary pillars of work — a published collection of Paul Johnson’s writings —  is set for release on Oct. 2.  The book features a brief biography and a discussion of Paul’s ideas within the historical and future contexts of private lands conservation. 

For details on We Can Do Better: Collected Writings on Land, Conservation, and Public Policy click here.

View Full Calendar

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