Congress returns to Washington this week with only a few days left in 2018 to pass legislation. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Manager Anna Johnson said passing a strong, new farm bill should be at the top of their list.
She outlined three reasons lawmakers should approve a farm bill including closing loopholes in commodity payments, renewing major conservation programs, and continuing programs that offer support to rural communities and beginning farmers.
“First, loopholes in commodity programs are allowing the largest farms to exploit the system and claim incredibly high payments,” she said. “Not only do these loopholes allow for misuse of taxpayer dollars, this unfair advantage creates an uneven playing field for smaller, family-sized operations and drives farm consolidation.”
Johnson said a new farm bill needs to close these loopholes.
“America also needs farmers and ranchers who are committed caretakers of the land,” she continued. “Farm bill conservation programs offer a needed path to allow farmers and ranchers to improve their stewardship of water and soil. A new farm bill should provide strong support for conservation, including the Conservation Stewardship Program.”
She said the Conservation Stewardship Program allows farmers and ranchers to conduct targeted conservation efforts across their operations.
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