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Farm Bill 2023

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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 2023 Farm Bill Platform. 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

  • Sign Up for 2023 Farm Bill Updates and 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 2023 Farm Bill Platform Executive Summary

LSP’s 2023 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 2023 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)

2023 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

  • Ear to the Ground 304: Policy for the People

    Perhaps no single piece of legislation has a more profound impact on what our landscape and rural communities look like. That’s why LSP’s members are…

    Ear to the Ground 304: Policy for the People
  • LSP Members Make Their Voices Heard on the Farm Bill

    November 29, 2023

    Earlier this month, Land Stewardship Project farmer-members James Kanne and Adam Griebie flew to Washington, D.C., with me for a few days to gather with…

    Blog
    2023 Farm Bill, Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, EQIP, federal farm policy, Whole Farm Revenue Protection Improvement Act
    LSP Members Make Their Voices Heard on the Farm Bill
  • 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

Amanda Koehler, LSP policy manager
e-mail, 612-400-6355

Upcoming Events

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December 2023

Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8

U of M Soil Management Summit
Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8
U of M Soil Management Summit
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Ln, Alexandria, MN 56308, USA

The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons.

The summit features presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices.

Those who attend the entire conference can earn Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units (CEUs).

For more information and to register, click here.

Tuesday December 12

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms
Tuesday December 12
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms

Join Jody and Mike Lenz of Threshing Table Farm and Dana Swanson from NRCS to explore creative ways to manage water in our changing climate. This forum will include a short presentation followed by questions, ideas and solutions from attendees.
Register here:https://secure.everyaction.com/8R2DmcpyQkOkPANzarGpAA2

Saturday December 16

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Iowa Farmers of Color Conference
Saturday December 16
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Iowa Farmers of Color Conference
2400 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA

Calling all Midwestern Black farmers! Join us at the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference — an empowering gathering where connections flourish and knowledge blooms. Over the past two years, we’ve had the honor of building relationships with minority farmers from the South. Now, we’re extending a heartfelt invitation to YOU to be part of this transformative event. Connect with fellow farmers, engage with expert speakers spanning ag policy, research, and crop insurance, and get the answers you seek to thrive in your farming journey. Whether you’re seasoned or just starting out, this conference is a space designed to empower, educate, and uplift.

For details, check out this flier.

To register, click here.

January 2024

Saturday January 13

10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Saturday January 13
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Fillmore Central Elementary School K-6, 702 Chatfield Ave NW, Preston, MN 55965, USA

Free nitrate and chloride screenings will be offered onsite, with results available within 15 minutes. While you wait, you are invited to talk one-on-one with water experts about your results, questions, and options. This consultation is free and confidential. If further testing is advised, a voucher for a free certified test will be provided. Questions can be directed to Responsible Ag in Karst Country at responsibleaginkarstcountry@gmail.com.

Tuesday January 16

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In-Person Training: Introduction to Climate Resiliency for Farmers
Tuesday January 16
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In-Person Training: Introduction to Climate Resiliency for Farmers
St. Cloud, St Cloud, MN, USA

Join LSP and UMN Extension to build resiliency on your farm through examining local climate trends, identifying risk and planning adaptations for mitigation. Additionally, there will be several farmers presenting on the climate resiliency strategies they are implementing on their farms. Lunch is included and registration is required.

Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/nyGLdKfUikG6EZmR8mcwbw2

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

  • Take Action Today to Improve Accessibility to EQIP November 29, 2023
  • LSP Members Make Their Voices Heard on the Farm Bill November 29, 2023
  • LSP Applauds Court’s Support of Winona County Decision on Factory Farm November 21, 2023
  • Farmer Sign-On Letter: Diversified & Small Farms Deserve a Strong Safety Net October 26, 2023
  • Networking Event to Bring Together East African Farmers & Area Landowners Oct. 22 in Scandia October 12, 2023

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