A note from the Farm Action Fund team
Time and time again farmers, rural communities, and advocates have tried to shift government support away from the industrial agriculture model controlled by a handful of corporations. Time and time again, we have failed — because Big Ag has controlled the process from policy narrative to the legislative votes.
So we are changing the story. First, we investigated the state of concentration in our food system and showed how just a few corporations control the way billions of consumers, farmers, and farmworkers work and eat.
Next, we targeted monopoly corporations’ industrialized business model, revealing the production costs it pushes onto others in order to reap excessive profits. We also debunked the myths industrial agriculture uses to defend its business model and defeat any meaningful reforms.
Here at Farm Action Fund, we envision a fair, inclusive, and competitive food and agriculture system. A system that pays farmers and workers a fair price, provides healthy, safe, and affordable food to our neighbors here at home, and respects our land, natural resources, and neighbors around the world. The next farm bill is the best opportunity to deliver on this vision, and it will be debated in Congress in 2023.
Why are we starting now? We are taking on Big Ag — the most powerful corporations, boardrooms, and lobbyists in Washington D.C. We can’t let corporate interests land us with yet another farm bill that funnels excessive wealth into their pockets — at the expense of everybody else. We’re not waiting a minute longer: we are taking the fight to them, right in our U.S. Capitol.
From November 1 – 3, our fly-in will educate and energize decision-makers, providing the facts they need to create a fair farm bill. Below are some ways to keep the momentum growing as we head into this exciting event. We hope you’ll join our movement for a fair farm bill!
Sincerely,
Joe Maxwell, President; Angela Huffman, Vice President; Webster Davis, Senior Policy Advisor; Jake Davis, Senior Policy Advisor; Dee Laninga, Senior Communications Manager; Nate Lemen, Digital Advocacy Manager
The farm bill is a package of legislation totaling more than $400 billion that Congress puts forth once every five years. It is nearly the only opportunity to drive major policy reforms in food and agriculture.
The farm bill shapes the structure of and funding for our farm and food system, including components like farm commodity support, crop insurance coverage, conservation programs, nutrition assistance programs, and discretionary U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Simply put, it is a leading driver for the kind of food system we have.
Food and agriculture policy is controlled by the biggest and most politically powerful corporations in Washington D.C. The next farm bill will be up for debate in 2023 — which will be here before we know it, so we’re not waiting a minute longer to educate and energize decision-makers about our vision for a fair farm bill.
We’ve zeroed in on four areas to change in the next farm bill. Major shifts in policy within these four categories would mean we’ve finally broken the Big Ag-friendly mold of the past.
These bills, many of which have bipartisan support, will transform the policy and financial structures that power food production and distribution in the U.S. and create a more fair, inclusive, and competitive system.
These reforms and more are desperately needed — but don’t take our word for it! Click below to listen to the stories of American’s independent farmers and ranchers.
Our movement toward a more fair food and agriculture system gains momentum with every like, comment, and retweet. Click below to join the conversation on Twitter about what a #FairFarmBill would look like!
The Farm Action Fund network leverages its research, policy development, advocacy campaigns, and political expertise to achieve a democratized food and agriculture system in which independent actors hold power, rather than a consolidated few. We are joined in our movement by farmers, ranchers, rural communities, food system workers, policymakers, advocates, and anyone who eats.
Farm Action Alerts are new way for you to join the fight against monopoly corporations. We will send only the most effective and streamlined alerts so that you can take direct action straight from your inbox. In mere minutes, you can help build a more fair food system.
Show your support for our movement by making a direct donation to Farm Action. We cannot do this work without you!
