Farm Bill 2023: What You Need to Know
The farm bill is a piece of legislation that is passed approximately every five years by the United States Congress. It is a comprehensive package of laws that affects every aspect of American agriculture, from the way crops are grown to the way food is processed and sold. The farm bill provides critical support to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, and it is a crucial tool for shaping the future of American agriculture.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, was a substantial and bipartisan piece of legislation that was approved for a period of five years. The bill provided authorization for $428.3 billion in funding to be distributed among various USDA programs, which are critical to counties in need across the country.
As the current legislation is due to expire on September 30, 2023, the U.S. Congress has initiated the process of creating a new farm bill. The process is underway with congressional hearings currently being conducted. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this farm bill process and why it matters to you!
Why is the Farm Bill Necessary?
The farm bill is necessary because it provides a framework for the American agricultural system. It sets the rules for how the government supports farmers and rural communities. It also provides funding for research, conservation, and rural development programs that are essential to the well-being of rural communities and to the sustainability of American agriculture. The farm bill also provides funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), and thus is essential to ensuring our most vulnerable families have food on their tables.
What is SNAP?
SNAP is one of the largest and most important programs funded by the farm bill, and the 2023 bill is no exception. This program provides vital assistance to millions of low-income families across the country, helping to ensure that they have access to nutritious food. SNAP is expected to account for 84% of the total funds allocated in the 2023 Farm Bill. This increase can be attributed to various factors, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic aid, a rise in program participation, and modifications to the calculation of SNAP benefits. Some proposed changes to SNAP in the 2023 Farm Bill include increasing benefits to better reflect the cost of living, expanding eligibility criteria to include more families, and implementing new technology to streamline the application and distribution process. These changes would help to make SNAP more effective and efficient, ensuring that it continues to provide essential support to those who need it most.
What Does the Process Look Like?
These are the general steps involved in the legislative overview of the farm bill. It is important to note that the exact process may vary depending on the political climate and the specific provisions of the bill. The legislative overview of the farm bill typically involves the following steps:
Introduction of the Bill: A member of Congress introduces the bill, in the House of Representatives or the Senate, and it is assigned to a committee for review.
Committee Review: The bill is reviewed and debated by the relevant committees, such as the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. The committees may hold hearings to gather testimony from stakeholders and make changes to the bill.
Mark-Up: After the committees have completed their review, they hold a mark-up session where they vote on changes to the bill. If the bill passes the mark-up, it moves on to the next step.
Floor Action: The bill is debated and voted on by the full House and Senate. If the bill passes in both chambers, it moves on to the next step.
Conference Committee: If there are differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences and produce a final bill.
Final Passage: Once the conference committee has produced a final bill, it is voted on by the full House and Senate. If it passes, it is sent to the President for signature.
Presidential Signature: If the President signs the bill, it becomes law. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.
Why Should People Care About the Farm Bill?
As consumers, it is important to understand the impact of the farm bill on the food you eat. The farm bill affects the prices of food, the quality of food, and the types of food that are available to consumers. It also affects the way food is produced, which can have significant environmental and social impacts. For example, the farm bill provides funding for conservation programs that help protect soil and water resources, and it provides support for organic and local food systems. Because the farm bill also provides funding for SNAP, the passage of this legislation is also crucial to ensuring low-income Americans have access to healthy foods.
How Does the Farm Bill Affect Farmers?
The farm bill has a profound impact on farmers. It provides critical support for farmers, including direct payments, crop insurance, and funding for research and development programs. This support helps farmers to manage the risks associated with farming, and it helps them to maintain the viability of their operations. The farm bill also includes important provisions that address the unique challenges faced by specialty crop producers, organic farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers.
In conclusion, the farm bill is a significant piece of legislation that has a far-reaching impact, from farmers to consumers. It outlines the support mechanisms for the American agricultural sector, establishes rules for food production, and influences the cost, quality, and variety of food available to consumers. Whether you are a farmer, an average consumer, or simply someone who cares about food and the environment, staying informed about the farm bill and its effects on American agriculture is vital.
