Backing the Backbone: New Push for Small Farm Policy
Big news out of Washington, D.C. this week—an announcement that could shape policy around the success of America’s small farms and ranches. And that’s something the American Farm Bureau Federation is paying close attention to.
Farm Bureau is thanking Secretary Rollins for recognizing the vital role small producers play in our food supply chain. Nearly 90% of U.S. farms are considered small, and almost all are family-owned.
But the numbers are tough. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, we lost 141,000 farms over five years—and more since that data came out. The American Farm Bureau Federation says it’s getting harder for smaller farms to stay afloat in today’s economy.
With the announcement, the American Farm Bureau has submitted a detailed letter to USDA, outlining policy recommendations to support small producers. It includes improvements to farm safety net and disaster programs, expanded risk management options, regulatory reform, and workforce solutions to ensure access to labor.
Farm Bureau says our food security depends on farms of all sizes—and it’s time to make sure small farms don’t just endure, but thrive.
Read the full letter here: https://www.fb.org/files/backgrounder/USDA.PZD-Small-Farmer-Letter.AFBFLTR.05.16.25.pdf
