The Farm Bill is revised every five years and has immense and far-reaching impact. With hundreds of billions of dollars at stake, reforming the Farm Bill to support healthy foods and healthy food systems is one of the most important steps in taking a stand for nutritious foods, sustainable farming, and animal protection.
The Senate Agriculture Committee just released its draft of the 2012 Farm Bill. It’s time to voice your support for food and farm policies that maximize well-being for people, the planet, and animals.
It’s easy… call or write your Senator and both Congressional Representatives.
How to Call:
Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Ask for your Senator’s or Congressional Representative’s office by name.
When connected, ask for the legislative aid that covers agriculture.
If unavailable, leave a message with your name, phone number, city and message.
“I’m a constituent and I’m calling to ask (insert name) to reduce commodity subsidies in favor of subsidies that support fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Farm Bill Facts -
Fact: The government provides about $20 billion every year in direct farm subsidies.
Fact: Feed grains (mostly corn) account for the largest share of farm subsidy support, more than double the next commodity crop.
Fact: In the United States, 3/5 of farmers don’t get any subsidy payments, while the richest 5% average $470,000 each.
Fact: The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that nearly two billion tons of cropland soil is still lost and less than 10% of the USDA budget is linked to conservation practices.
Fact: Of the conservation practices that are funded, clean-up of factory farming pollution is included (so tax payers bear the cost instead of the agribusinesses that are causing the pollution).
Fact: Only 2% of children (2-19 years old) meet the five federal requirements for a healthy diet. Although certain calories are cheaper than others, these foods are usually lacking any nutritional benefit, and are contributing to the growing malnutrition epidemics in the U.S. and globally.
White paper for 2007 Farm Bill by Farm Sanctuary and Brighter Green.
- Common Dreams
- Community Food Security Coalition
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
- Understanding the Farm Bill (Facebook)