Diversity, Market Competition and the Farm Bill

You many wonder why the Farm Bill is important to you.  Or why you should support the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 [H.R. 3236] and the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2011 [S. 1773 and H.R. 3286].  Why support some legislation I know practically nothing about?


There are many beginning farmers starting their long careers in farming who need our assistance.  Since 1935 our country has gone from 6.8 million farms to less than 2 million farms in 1990 (USDA/Economic Research Service reports).  "In spite of the predominance of family farms, there is strong evidence of a trend toward concentration in agricultural production. By 1997, a mere 46,000of the two million farms in this country accounted for 50% of sales of agricultural products (USDA, 1997 Census of Agriculture data). That number was down from almost 62,000 in 1992. (EPA)"


In a country that prides itself on diversity and market competition, this loss of farms is staggering.   Especially when taken into consideration that our world population of 6 billion will grow to 8.3 billion by 2030 (FAO).  Not only do we need new farms for food production, but we need new farmers.  Today, 40% of our farmers in this country are 55 years old or older (Bureau of Labor Statistics).


My husband and I are one of the many who have taken up the call to go back to the land.  We are 34 and 30, respectively, and were not raised on a farm.  In fact we are recipients of the previous farm bill, as the farm business program we are attending, Stateline Farm Beginnings, is indirectly funded by USDA grant monies.


You can find stories of other beginning farmers in this New York Times article, Sheep Lawn Mowers, and Other Go-Getters.


Please support us and other beginning farmers in renewing our farm land.  Call your your state Senators and Representative in support of these Acts.  Once their administrative assistant answers the phone all you need to tell them is what Act you are calling about (include the number and name) and that you are in favor.  Most likely they will also ask for your zip code and/ or address.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 [H.R. 3236]
Link to text of legislation:  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3236:

• NSAC's webpage devoted to the bill

Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2011 [S. 1773 and H.R. 3286] 
Link to text of legislation:   http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3286:

• Sen. Brown's press release
• Rep. Pingree's press release
• NSAC's press release
  
• NSAC's blog about the bill introduction
  
• NSAC's action alert on the bill
• NSAC's webpage devoted to the bill