Published: November 02, 2007 12:50 pm            

Letter: Farm bill needs to invest in beginning farmers

Originally published in the November 2, 2007, print edition.

To the Editor:

The Senate agriculture committee debated the farm bill the third week of October. Earlier this month I visited Washington, D.C., and talked with members of Congress and their staff about how a farm bill can support conservation on working lands, local-foods systems that contribute to rural development, and beginning farmers and ranchers.

A farm bill should be viewed as an investment in agriculture’s future. Supporting beginning farmers can provide huge dividends for the people who will feed our nation and care for the land and the families that will participate in our civic institutions and bring economic activity to rural communities.

During the agriculture committee debate, the committee passed a Senate farm bill that provides nearly $300 billion over five years to commodity subsidies, conservation programs and food support and nutrition programs.

But the bill fails to prioritize critical resources for beginning farmers and ranchers.

It is disappointing and shortsighted that this Senate bill, agreed to by the committee, fails to provide smart, cost-effective support and incentives for America’s next generation of family farmers. The proposed bill omits $15 million per year in funding for community-based beginning farmer training and education programs — the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

This measure received strong support and mandatory funding in the House where it was advanced by Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, D-S.D., Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., and House agriculture committee Chairman, Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

With the opportunities in agriculture today — in organics, new energy crops and in growing for local and regional food systems — these beginning-farmer efforts are worthwhile investments that strengthen rural communities and help the next generation of family farmers succeed.

The farm bill needs to include measures that help new farmers overcome barriers to getting started farming.

Whether on Senate floor or in the joint conference committee the opportunity to help beginning farmers get started should not be ignored by the Senate agriculture committee members or Senate leadership. America needs to invest $15 million per year in the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. To not take advantage of this chance in the farm bill would be more than a missed opportunity. It would be a failure in leadership.

Audrey Arner
Montevideo

        

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