Preparing for 2023 Farm Bill

Preparing for 2023 Farm Bill

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is looking ahead to the next Farm Bill..

Vilsack told participants in the annual farmers’ Commodity Classic that he believes a study of new markets for ag producers is in order over the next year or two.

Vilsack: “..to take a look at what we need to do to create more, better, and newer markets and fairer markets. And that is going to inform what a Farm Bill ought to include. We can’t say to ourselves, when nearly 90% of our producers are not making the majority of money from what they do from what they love to do, that we’ve got the system figured out. There’s more that we need to do. And I think that impacts what we do with the Farm Bill. So I think you’re going to see a lot of work now that is going to inform and create a better Farm Bill in the future.

One of the new markets, in his mind, should focus on climate-smart agriculture.

Vilsack says it will be important to develop climate-smart agriculture programs, markets, and incentives. He said testing these new market programs can help in gathering data that can be used to offer new programs in the next Farm Bill for 2023.

The original farm bills were enacted during the 1930s as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation. Its three original goals – to keep food prices fair for farmers and consumers, ensure an adequate food supply, and protect and sustain the country’s vital natural resources – responded to the economic and environmental crises of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.

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