What's Happening Now

Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy

All people want to make sure that they and their kids are healthy. In order to be healthy, we all know that it’s important to have access to fresh and affordable food that nourishes our bodies. How we access those foods is in part determined by our nation’s farm and food policies, which are set forth in the farm bill.  Congress sets and manages these priorities for the next five years through the farm bill.

The farm bill influences not only what we eat, but what farmers grow.  Each farm bill has had ripple effects over their five to seven year course on such issues as food prices, water quality, availability of renewable fuels, and even the amount of sprawl into rural areas.

At a time when real food prices for Americans are increasing for healthy and fresh foods, we are also losing farmers and farmland.  While 35 million Americans (a population equivalent of California) don’t know when they will eat next, America exports food to international markets.  When a farmer or rancher applies to federal programs to improve the quality of our air and water, three out of four are turned away.  And many socially disadvantaged producers are still excluded from federal farm programs.  Clearly, our farm and food system, and the policies that guide it, are out of balance with needs of Americans and many farmers and ranchers.

With the House and Senate version of the Farm Bill nearing completion, the entire Congress will soon vote on the 2007 Farm Bill.  Our alliance of more that 400 organizations has advanced policies for a fairer farm and food system that ensures equitable access to farm programs, while responding to the pressing health, environment, hunger, rural development, and local food marketing needs. 

Join us in advancing this vision by learning more about these issues and by becoming involved through our partner organizations.  The possibilities are real.  You and Congress can act through the 2007 Farm Bill for a better farm and food bill for all Americans.