For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Zaks, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Email: press@sustainableagriculture.net
Comment: NSAC Calls for Comprehensive Farm Bill, Addresses Likely Long-Term Cuts to Farm and Food Programs in Budget Process
Washington, DC, April 3, 2025 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following statement after yesterday’s release of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget resolution, and amidst the mounting potential for deep cuts to farm and food programs, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.
“The federal farm bill touches every aspect of American life – from farmers and ranchers, rural development, conservation, domestic market opportunities provided through local and regional food systems, and consumers. There is simply no replacing the farm bill.
Using the budget reconciliation process to dramatically slash farm bill programs that invest in so many families and communities – from nutrition assistance and beyond – in order to increase reference prices and expensive subsidies that benefit so few is the antithesis of a farm bill. A move like this from Congress would prioritize the few over the many, and simultaneously make it even harder to reauthorize a genuine farm bill.
It has been more than six years since the bipartisan Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 was signed into law by President Trump during his first term. NSAC is not alone in our eagerness for a new, full farm bill – farmers and farmer–serving organizations across the country share this sentiment. We cannot squander any opportunity to truly invest in the long-term economic viability of our nation’s farmers through a full farm bill by instead prioritizing short-term bandages through budget reconciliation. Budget reconciliation simply cannot and should not replace a stand-alone farm bill – they are fundamentally different.“
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more: https://sustainableagriculture.net/