What is the multi-billion-dollar bill Congress must pass every five year to finance conservation, renewable energy, nutrition, food stamp programs, and subsidies for row crops such as corn and farmland preservation? The Farm Bill is the most important bill in America. It affects nearly every American’s ability to access healthier food, local foods, clean water, fresher air, open spaces, and a reduction in sprawl. Recent polls indicate that the majority of voters want Congress’s reform of this historically pork-laden legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $586 billion Farm Bill over five years that did not meet equity or reform standards.
The legislation will create new eligibility criteria for direct payment subsidies. These are linked to past production but not to market prices. This legislation will have almost no effect on who can receive subsidies. These new eligibility requirements would increase the maximum payment that could be made to the richest recipients. These payments are not limited to those who actually require assistance, but they can be given to farmers at all times. These subsidies will continue to be paid to 4 out 10 farmers, which are primarily those who grow wheat, cotton, rice and soybeans. These subsidies are 50 percent for Iowa, Texas and Illinois. The rest go to seven states: Minnesota, Kansas, Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota.
Therefore, the House bill will continue under-fund voluntary conservation cost-sharing programmes that all farmers are entitled to. These programs are highly sought after and would have enormous environmental benefits for rural areas as well as the nation. These conservation programs will continue being rejected by most farmers.
The Senate should amend Farm Bill to provide: 1) a cost-effective, cost-saving farm safety network that provides farmers with help when they most need it; 2) at minimum $6 billion more for voluntary conservation programs that are open to all farmers, regardless of their crops; and 3) additional support to fruit and vegetable growers and programs that increase consumers’ access to healthier food and local foods.
Reforming the Farm Bill in a genuine way would benefit farmers who are keen to help the nation address its environmental, renewable energy, public health and other challenges. To learn more about the Farm Bill or to contact Congress, visit www.ed.org/farms.
Allen Rosenfeld, Ph.D. is an agricultural economist who worked on the four Farm Bills.
