Congress is gathering input as it looks to reauthorize the Farm Bill. Voices from Minnesota's agricultural sector hope independent family farms get a fair shake.
The Farm Bill covers a range of components tied to the nation's food system. It's updated every five years, and the current plan expires this fall.
Southeastern Minnesota dairy farmer Bonnie Haugen recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers about what she and other advocates want to see in the funding package. She said Congress needs to shift more support to smaller operations, noting that too many monopolies have eroded the presence of family farms, including in her area.
"When we bought these acres, 30 years ago this year, there was about 12 dairy farms within about a three-mile radius," she said. "As of last March, we are the last ones."
The Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project said a big help would be keeping provisions about enforcing antitrust laws. Small farmers also want full funding of conservation programs, arguing that those dollars shouldn't go to factory farms that may not be as motivated to preserve soil health. Some elements of the emerging plan have bipartisan support, but there are still political differences within the debate.
Sarah Goldman, policy organizer for the Land Stewardship Project, said more Minnesota farmers are nearing retirement age, and predicted a huge generational transfer of land in the coming years. She said Congress has an opportunity to create a better path for those who want to carry on the spirit of family farms.
Source: publicnewsservice.org
Photo Credit: GettyImages-Steve Baccon
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy