The American Farm Bureau Federation led the creation of Farm Bill for America’s Families, a campaign to highlight the broad reach of the farm bill. AFBF President Zippy Duvall says the high-level campaign includes several messages to Congress.
Duvall says, “We want to see a 2023 Farm Bill before the end of the year and ensure that it [Congress] has enough resources to write a meaningful farm bill, including strong risk management programs. We want to promote food security by ensuring a strong food supply, and also by supporting nutrition programs for those facing hunger. And we want to support job creation. The farm bill is a jobs bill. And we want to invest in ag research and conservation.”
More than 20 diverse farm and agriculture, environmental and conservation organizations are included in the effort. Duvall says, “The farm bill impacts every American, yet 70 percent say that they know very little about it. That’s why AFBF took the lead to build a diverse coalition of environmental and conservation advocates, food security and anti-hunger advocates, foresters, and ag groups. We are all working together to leverage our diverse membership to help tell the story of the importance of the farm bill.”
Duvall encourages other groups to join the campaign. “We welcome and encourage others to join us,” says Duvall. “From our State Farm Bureaus to other commodity groups, to food banks and environmental groups that recognize the importance of the Farm Bill. Everyone can join us by visiting the website farmbillforAmericasfamilies.com.”