National Governors Association Shares Farm Bill Priorities in Letter to Congress

From the National Governors Association

The co-chairs of the National Governors Association (NGA) Education, Workforce and Community Investment Task Force wrote a letter to Congressional leaders to share key Farm Bill priorities that should be considered and included in the next reauthorization of the Farm Bill. These priorities highlight the important role Farm Bill programs play in strengthening our communities and why it is important to update these programs in a timely manner through reauthorization.

Since the last reauthorization in 2018, much has changed in agricultural markets and the broader economy. Inflation has made it harder for farmers and ranchers to maintain coverage of products and keep their products at an affordable and competitive price. Meanwhile, consumers and recipients of food assistance have seen their paychecks and benefits impacted by inflation. Global markets have also changed significantly, and today we are more acutely aware of the important role played by American producers to secure the food supply chain. At the same time, employers in the agriculture sector face workforce shortages and challenges, which stand to be exacerbated in the coming years as farmers and ranchers retire. These are but a few of the many changes impacting American food and agriculture since 2018. A new Farm Bill should reflect these new realities.

The next iteration of the Farm Bill is an opportunity for Congress to reinforce its support for the states, territories and communities we represent, specifically rural and urban communities, farmers, ranchers, and those in need of food assistance. Doing so will further bolster the more than 23 million jobs supported by the U.S. food and agriculture sector, which provide nearly $1 trillion in wages annually to American households.

Read more …