Farming Opportunities and Fair Competition
The family farm as the nucleus of American agriculture is in jeopardy. The U.S. has moved to a significant extent to a dual system of agriculture. At one end of the spectrum are small, often part-time farms, producing a limited amount of all farm products and depending primarily on non-farm income for their livelihood. At the other end are very large farms that account for a majority of all farm product sales. This group is small – just over one percent of all farms account for nearly half the total value of farm product sales. In the middle, and hanging in the balance, are full-time family farms, intermediate in size, which still acount for a sizeable share of total sales.
The family farm matters to the viability of rural communities. Family farmers buy most of their inputs from local suppliers. They sell most of their products in local and regional markets. Many of the business enterprises in rural towns and small cities are farm-connected. A system of economically viable, midsize, owner-operated family farms contributes more to communities than systems characterized by mega-farms with hired managers and large numbers of farm laborers with below average incomes and little ownership or control of productive assets. Replacing midsize farms with big farms reduces middle class entrepreneurial opportunities in farm communities, at best replacing them with wage labor. The result is harmful to society.
Major Priorities for the Farming Opportunity and Renewal Committee for 2009 will be:
Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Grant Programs & Office of Advocacy & Outreach.
Payment Limitations and ‘Actively Engaged in Farming’ Regulations
Packers & Stockyards Act — Undue Preferences and Contract Reform Rulemakings
Minor Priorities for the Farming Opportunity and Renewal Committee for 2009 will be:
Beginning Farmer Individual Development Account (IDA) Pilot Program
Farm Credit — funding & implementation, including BFR/ SDA set-asides & special programs.
Arbitration Opt Out Reform Enforcement
Captive Supply and Packer Ban-related Rulemaking
Recent Actions Take by NSAC:
- NSAC comments on the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Interim Final Rule, November 2, 2009.
- NSAC delivers letter to USDA asking for swift implementation of the Conservation Reserve Program Transition Option, October 19, 2009.
- NSAC submits comments on the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program RFA, October 16, 2009.
- NSAC submits comments on the Farm Loan Program Proposed Rules, October 6, 2009.
- NSAC submits letter to Secretary Vilsack with recommendations on Livestock Title regulations, June 9, 2009.
- Letter submitted to Secretary Vilsack regarding the Office of Advocacy and Outreach on behalf of the members of NSAC and of the Farm and Food Diversity Initiative, May 28, 2009.
- Announcement of CSREES meeting May 11, 2009.
- NSAC submitted these Comments on Farm Program Payment Limiation and Payment Eligibility on April 6, 2009.