A Call for Making the Farm Bill a Climate Bill
Plus, this week's outdoor and indoor farmers market schedules
Farmers Lead in Making Farm Bill a Climate Bill
Stef Funk, the author of the following article, is civic engagement manager at Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC), a non-profit focused on food justice and food insecurity issues. CFPAC is one of several Illinois food-related organizations that participated in last month’s Farmers for Climate Action Rally for Resilience in Washington, D.C., organized by National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Stef (center in the photo) above attended the event and shares her perspectives.
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Congress this year is considering a five-year renewal to the federal Farm Bill, which governs all national agriculture, food and nutrition programs. What many call the Good Food movement has made incremental progress in gaining policy support for small- and medium-sized producers growing healthy food using sustainable, humane and fair practices. But the Farm Bill offers an opportunity to move faster toward a better food system, and it is one that our community cannot afford to waste.
That is why National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) — the leading federal policy advocate for a better-for-people-better-for-the planet food system — summoned advocates from around the country in March to participate in its Farmers for Climate Action Rally for Resilience in Washington, D.C. Several Illinois-based organizations gathered in the nation’s capital along with several hundred farmers from around the country (including Puerto Rico) to demand that this next Farm Bill double as a Climate Bill.
The rally aimed to elevate knowledge among lawmakers and the general public about the potential that small-scale regenerative farms have to reverse the impact of agriculture as one of the leading drivers of climate change.
After a Rally in downtown D.C.’s Freedom Plaza and a March to Capitol Hill, farmers and advocates split up into groups to speak with legislators about the following three priorities:
Farmer-Led Climate Solutions
Value and support the expertise of farmers whose long-developed, holistic, sustainable systems address climate concerns and many related environmental challenges, through increased funding for conservation and technical assistance.
Racial Justice
Prioritize the expertise and needs of Indigenous and traditional communities in the Farm Bill process and outcomes by increasing resources and eliminating barriers for farmers of color. Access to land, credit and conservation funds are all vital for expanding the conservation solutions these farmers already undertake.
Communities, Not Corporations
Ensure that land, products and benefits of agriculture will remain under or return to the control of those with knowledge and skill in managing and developing sustainable systems, benefiting them and their communities by leveling the playing field and supporting land access. Strengthen and fund enforcement of antitrust and fair competition laws.
We left Washington more energized than ever to promote that these three priorities should guide how the Farm Bill is crafted this year. If you agree, take a moment to let your lawmakers know right now! All you need to do is fill in your name, email, and address (so we can figure out who your lawmakers are) — it takes less than a minute!
CFPAC also hosts a bi-weekly Farm Bill Organizing call, every other Thursday from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., and the next meeting is TOMORROW (Thursday, April 6). If you are interested in joining these calls to learn more about getting involved with Farm Bill advocacy, fill out this Google form to join the network, and click here to get the full schedule of CFPAC’s Chicago Food Justice Rhizome Network’s events.