CFA & THE 2007 FARM BILL

This year, Congress will revisit the Farm Bill, an enormous piece of legislation that addresses a wide range of issues including crop subsidies, the Food Stamp and WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) programs, the National School Lunch Program, and conservations easements. In short, the Farm Bill sets the rules for the American (and by extension, global) food system. CFA has joined several national organizations and coalitions to call for a Farm Bill that supports family farmers and our rural and urban communities. In CFA's May newsletters, we published an excerpt of an article written by George Naylor, president of the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC). Below are links to helpful pages that can help explain the Farm Bill, platforms and proposals that CFA has endorsed, and good articles that offer some analysis and perspective on the Farm Bill. Get educated and then contact your Members of Congress and let your voice be heard!

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Understanding the Farm Bill

Farm Bill 101: A Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Farm Bill
Oxfam America's guide to the Farm Bill.

Federal Sustainable Agriculture Primer
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture's primer that explains all the programs funded through the Farm Bill, what they do, who administers them, application and eligibility guidelines, etc.

Platforms & Proposals

Food from Family Farms Act
An “alternative Farm Bill” drafted by the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) that addresses the connection between domestic agriculture policy, international trade and the need to respect food sovereignty (the right of every country to establish its own food and farm policy and meet its basic food needs through domestic production). The Act details how market price supports, farmer-owned reserves, and conservation compliance can work together to ensure fair prices while meeting food security, humanitarian, and energy needs.

Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy
The Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) was a member of The Farm and Food Policy Project (FFPP), a collaboration that produced this comprehensive policy statement on how American agriculture can be renewed. The FFPP has also launched a website which lets individuals sign an on-line letter to Congress to show support for policies which advance fresh, local, and healthy foods in the 2007 Farm Bill.

Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act
The Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act (H.R. 2144), introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), is a comprehensive farm and food policy package that addresses nutrition, healthy diets, conservation, dairy, and new markets, including renewable energy, and local food systems. The Act is what is called a "marker bill"— it’s not intended to be voted on, just to express the opinions of the legislators. Click here for more analysis of this proposal.

Farm Bill Articles & Perspectives

"The 2007 Farm Bill: What We Need and Why" by George Naylor
Makes the case for price supports rather than crop subsidies.

“You Are What You Grow” by Michael Pollan
Cleverly connects the dots between the overproduction of commodity crops to the abundance of cheap junk food in the American diet.

“Rethinking School Lunch” by Amy Dillard & Lisa Holmes
Explores the relationship between the Farm Bill and school lunches.