What You Should Know About US Agricultural Policies
The importance of building environmental awareness through policy and campaigns.
Humans have been curious about the natural world for as long as can be remembered. From the stars to the ocean, there have been countless people who have been fascinated with how the world works. One of the first to theorize about Earth’s regulated temperatures was Joseph Fourier in 1824. His results led to what is now known as the greenhouse effect. Today, the consequences of human activity and the greenhouse effect have placed an urgency on climate discussions. In a political landscape that is often divided, some question why environmentalism has been made political. However, the preservation and protection of natural resources have been present long before climate change became a hot topic. Policy changes, especially at the federal level, have the power and potential to enact widespread improvement in our society. Clean air, water preservation, and responsible land use are all aspects that affect people, animals, and the environment.
Key Takeaways
- Farm bills are an essential piece of how crops and land are managed and protected.
- Changing existing farming policies has the potential to improve soil health and, therefore, biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers.
- To incorporate regenerative agriculture, learning Indigenous practices and combining modern-day science are vital to keeping soil replenished and healthy.
- Civilian participation can be done by joining coalition outreach, donating, sharing organization efforts on social media, and writing to local newspapers.
The History Of The Farm Bill
Farmland is no stranger to government regulation and protection. Agricultural policy in the United States has changed and evolved since its inception in 1933. Farm bills often regulate policies regarding farming, food, and rural communities, among other things.
The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 was the very first bill of its kind and came forth during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of the New Deal. After a tumultuous period of economic strife for the nation, this inaugural farm bill introduced programs meant to reduce the surplus of crops and increase their prices. Farmers were offered government subsidies in exchange for limiting their crop cultivation. Once crops were no longer abundantly available, their prices increased and led to more stability and profit for farmers.
Five years later, a second agricultural bill was enacted to “provide for the conservation of national soil resources,” along with regulating commerce. The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 19381 not only sought to prevent the wasteful use of soil, but it also set a precedent for future farm bills to follow the same five-year cycle of renewals and updates.
Throughout the decades, a multitude of farm bills has prioritized the livelihood of farmers, the preservation of land, and the nutrition of Americans. Without such policies, the country could have seen a collapse in its agriculture and food security.
Key Takeaways
- Farm bills are an essential piece of how crops and land are managed and protected.
- Changing existing farming policies has the potential to improve soil health and, therefore, biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers.
- To incorporate regenerative agriculture, learning Indigenous practices and combining modern-day science are vital to keeping soil replenished and healthy.
- Civilian participation can be done by joining coalition outreach, donating, sharing organization efforts on social media, and writing to local newspapers.
Agricultural Policies Today
The legislative process and five-year cycle continue in the present day with the most recent farm bill that was passed in 2018. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018[2], otherwise known as the 2018 Farm Bill, continued the existing conservation programs and revised the SNAP program with some modifications. That year, the budget for spending was increased by $1.8 billion, with 76% of the funds dedicated to nutrition programs. The remainder of the budget was allocated to programs for conservation, crop insurance, commodities, research, forestry, and more. Everything set in place by the last farm bill will carry into the end of the 2023 fiscal year, at which point it will be time for a new farm bill.
Agricultural initiatives are not just limited to land; they encompass all that goes into crop cultivation and the systems related to it. Other actions taken by the presidential administration in 2022 include expanding grants for water protection[3], funding for urban agriculture[4], financial relief for farm loan borrowers5, and investments into safe water infrastructure6. Because 95% of food is sourced from the soil, all Americans are directly or indirectly affected by these measures and decisions. From clean water to farmers’ well-being, policy changes and funding have the ability to make a significant impact on the agriculture industry.
When the Biden administration began in 2021, a new Secretary of Agriculture took office along with a new administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. Since then, there have been other policy changes established by the administration. Among these changes was the allotment of $325 Million in additional funding7 for 71 new projects under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, an organization dedicated to assisting farmers who are dealing with the effects of climate change. These projects expand the market for farmers who produce “climate-smart commodities” and extend opportunities for smaller or underserved farmers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates that this funding will increase revenue streams for farmers and ranchers. The projects are also expected to help sequester more than 60 million metric tons of CO2. Efforts to remove carbon emissions are particularly essential as countries around the world work to avoid increasing the global temperature past 1.5°C by the end of the century.
The Call For Regenerative Agriculture
Healthy soil is an ecosystem with crucial minerals, organisms, and the ability to store carbon and absorb water. Not only does soil contain key nutrients that feed crops, but those nutrients also get passed down to the animals who eat the crops. Intricate plant roots find their home in soil and use it to take in water. Without soil, the food system can not thrive and produce the output needed to feed the population.
Currently, American soil struggles to retain its health and biodiversity due to overfarming that has stripped nutrients from the soil. This leaves soil susceptible to erosion, directly affecting the number of crops and livestock produced and, in turn, the livelihood of farmers. Regenerative agriculture is rooted in reviving the land back to health by combining historical, Indigenous knowledge and modern-day science. When soil is damaged by over-farming, it leads to flooding, droughts, and a lack of biodiversity. All of which hurt farmers by harming their livelihoods.
Key Takeaways
- Farm bills are an essential piece of how crops and land are managed and protected.
- Changing existing farming policies has the potential to improve soil health and, therefore, biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers.
- To incorporate regenerative agriculture, learning Indigenous practices and combining modern-day science are vital to keeping soil replenished and healthy.
- Civilian participation can be done by joining coalition outreach, donating, sharing organization efforts on social media, and writing to local newspapers.
What Is Regenerate America?
To combat this issue, those closest groups to the problem have joined Regenerate America. Regenerate America is a coalition group for farmers that champions regenerative agriculture as the answer to the current soil crisis. The coalition was founded by Kiss the Ground, a nonprofit organization, with the purpose of pushing the Farm Bill to include regenerative practices.
The organization argues that the current farm bill doesn’t do enough to support farmers and soil health. Members of the coalition hope to change this with their campaign. By strategically blending Indigenous practices, holistic management, and science, Regenerate America expects to bring back soil to its maximum potential. Better soil means better farming profits, better food quality, and mended farmlands. It’s a goal that helps people and the planet. The coalition is composed of farmers, businesses, nonprofits, and American citizens who are determined to reform the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.
With guidance from a Farmer Leadership Council and Steering Committee, the bipartisan group welcomes other organizations to join the efforts for a farm bill that will bring about impactful change. The council members hail from fourteen states, including California, Washington, Michigan, Georgia, Montana, Nebraska, and others. Standing alongside the coalition is a thorough list of organizations and businesses, both big and small. Among those businesses are Ben & Jerry’s, Oatly, The Non-GMO Project, Vans, Ancient Nutrition, Propagate Ventures, and Pennsylvania Farmers Union.
Key Policy Suggestions
There are a total of six issues that the coalition prioritizes for the 2023 Farm Bill. Through these priorities, Regenerate America is optimistic that farmers and ranchers alike will be able to successfully implement regenerative agriculture practices.
The first on the list is the expansion of education, technical service, and implementing assistance to farmers. In order for agricultural management to shift, farmers need access to information that will promote healthy soil and lead to the “transition” of regenerative agriculture. This is particularly important since Regenerate America reports that the average farm loses 5.8 tonnes of soil per acre each year. Learning better ways for crop management and the management of pastures and animals can effectively lead to a revival of improved land and biodiversity.
After education, the next policy suggestion is the guarantee for equal access to USDA programs. With this priority, the organization hopes to remove barriers for communities that have been previously left out of access to government programs. The other propositions are improved farmland preservation, incentivizing soil health, increased access to locally sourced food, and better access to infrastructure.
The propositions upheld by Regenerate America integrate a handful of specific regenerative techniques to ensure biodiversity and soil health is supported. Crop rotation, for example, is an old technique in which different crops are grown in a predetermined sequence.
Cycling out plants in this way benefits soil conditions in several ways. Introducing varying crops introduces a new variety of nutrients, and the different shapes of their roots can benefit soil structure. Rotating crops also stops the same species of pests from overtaking the land since different plants can disrupt the lifecycles of different pests. Other measures include no-till rules, which allow the soil to sit undisturbed, increasing carbon entrapment, and filter strips to remove contaminants in runoff.
Initiatives like Regenerate America are always ready to welcome others who care about the cause and want to contribute. This particular organization has established the Key District Advocacy Program, and it’s a vital part of the coalition. The program trains participants in spreading the word about Regenerate America and the importance of regenerative agriculture as it relates to the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Individuals involved with the Key District Advocacy program have the unique responsibility of campaigning in the districts of key Congressional members. Advocates go into these communities to discuss regenerative agriculture with farmers and businesses in those select districts. However, being involved doesn’t need to be as intensive as community outreach. Participation can look like donations, sharing on social media, and writing to local newspapers to pass on information. These approaches can apply to any campaign that is working to spark conversation and create policy changes.
Key Takeaways
- Farm bills are an essential piece of how crops and land are managed and protected.
- Changing existing farming policies has the potential to improve soil health and, therefore, biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers.
- To incorporate regenerative agriculture, learning Indigenous practices and combining modern-day science are vital to keeping soil replenished and healthy.
- Civilian participation can be done by joining coalition outreach, donating, sharing organization efforts on social media, and writing to local newspapers.
Why It Matters
Without knowing where to look, staying up to date on latest news and progress for environmental policies can take a bit of research. For updates on how the federal government is spending funds as it relates to agriculture, the USDA media page frequently publishes press releases each month. Website visitors can find news on staff appointments, investments, and initiatives relating to nutrition programs and agricultural infrastructure. Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency is another resource for the broader scope of issues relating to health and the environment. Created in 1970, the EPA has established standards for air quality, regulated drinking water, and created land cleanup programs.
Policies made at the federal level have a tendency to feel distant from the average person’s everyday life. While local initiatives and policies are closer to home, campaigns at the federal level have the potential to impact a greater number of people both directly and indirectly. When it comes to food, there is no one in the country that wouldn’t be affected by the agricultural bills that are passed in Congress. Regenerate America makes a point to emphasize that soil is a common ground for everyone. Improving soil quality and the lives of farmers will influence the products in our grocery stores and on our kitchen tables. 18% of the United States economy is made up of the agriculture industry, with 29% of jobs connected to agriculture.
It’s an industry significant in size as well as in its ability to shape the quality of life for every person in the US. Creating systems that support regenerative agriculture will facilitate the industry to continue without destroying itself. Sustainability doesn’t end with reusing possessions and reducing waste. It’s important that every industry, no matter the size, operates successfully without depleting the resources it uses. In the case of agriculture, policy changes that enable better practices for the soil will allow us all to reap the benefits of food, nutrition, and livelihood.
Key Takeaways
- Farm bills are an essential piece of how crops and land are managed and protected.
- Changing existing farming policies has the potential to improve soil health and, therefore, biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers.
- To incorporate regenerative agriculture, learning Indigenous practices and combining modern-day science are vital to keeping soil replenished and healthy.
- Civilian participation can be done by joining coalition outreach, donating, sharing organization efforts on social media, and writing to local newspapers.
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