Farm Bill 2007

What is the Farm Bill?

Every five to seven years Congress examines and reauthorizes the federal farm, food, and rural policies of the U.S. These policies are part of a legislative package called the “Farm Bill” and set the overall direction of the U.S. food system for a specified period of time. Many of the provisions in the current farm bill, called the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, are scheduled to expire in 2007. As a result, the 110th Congress is expected to reauthorize the farm bill sometime this year.

What is the Network’s position on the Farm Bill?

The Network is a member of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. We also have joined The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) which is an alliance of sustainable agriculture groups that take common positions on critical federal agricultural and environmental policy issues. SAC also provides financial support for collective representation before Congress and federal administrative agencies. In collaboration with the National Campaign and the Coalition, we have identified ten Farm Bill Policy Priorities. The SAC is tracking these priorities in Washington D.C.

For general background and information about the Farm Bill, an explanation of our top ten priorities and for the most updated information on the Farm Bill debate please visit SAC’s Farm Bill Action Center.

Download “Regional Agriculture Organizations Support Push For Major Farm Bill Changes” in a Word Document | Download the full “Seeking Balance” report in PDF form

Regional Agriculture Organizations Support Push For Major Farm Bill Changes

January 22, 2007

Washington, DC - Today 17 Washington state organizations joined hundreds of other groups around the country to call for a more balanced farm bill - one that would make real progress toward supporting family farms, promoting entrepreneurship in rural America, enhancing conservation, advancing diversity and support for socially disadvantaged farmers, and tackling the serious hunger and diet-related health problems facing our nation's citizens.

A report, "Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy," was released today with endorsements by more than 300 organizations, including the local organizations 21 Acres, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Washington State Food and Nutrition Council, WA Sustainable Food and Farming Network, and PCC Natural Markets. The report was developed under the auspices of the Farm and Food Policy Project, a collaboration of rural, family farm, conservation, anti-hunger, nutrition, faith-based, public health, and other groups.

The report outlines innovations aimed at reducing hunger and soaring rates of obesity; promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in farm and rural communities; encouraging local food production, providing incentives for more environmentally-friendly farming systems, and reducing barriers and creating opportunities for young and beginning farmers and ranchers getting started in agriculture.

"Our food and farm economy needs fixing," said Tim Crosby, Farm to Cafeteria Director for 21 Acres. " We are importing more food than we export, and the Farm Bill helps set the stage for what our government supports for the next five years. Current farm bill priorities don't adequately address the nation's most pressing health, social, economic, and environmental challenges. We need to make sure that the next Farm Bill represents a more balanced approach to the needs of our communities and this country."

A complete copy of the Farm and Food Policy Project's policy statement and recommendations may be viewed and downloaded from its Web site atwww.farmandfoodproject.org.

Upcoming regional Farm Bill discussions include an event January 30, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Sammamish Valley Grange in Woodinville sponsored by 21 Acres. Call 425-788-9846 for more information or e-mail generalinfo@21acres.org

Contact: Brenda Vanderloop, 21 Acres Marketing and PR Consultant
425-788-9846 or 206-498-9731
generalinfo@21acres.org