FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
Release: Farmers and Advocates Take the Fight for the Farm Bill to the Capitol
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Leads Fly-in Ahead of 2023 Farm Bill
Washington, DC, June 15, 2023 – This week, advocates and farmers from across the country came to Washington, DC to champion the federal programs important to them and their communities. Hosted by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), a cohort of farmers, ranchers, and food systems advocates from 6 states met with Congressional leaders and USDA officials to encourage them to prioritize sustainable food and farm needs in the upcoming farm bill and in ongoing program implementation efforts.
“We are grateful to have these amazing farmers and advocates join us in Washington, DC to share their stories with lawmakers. Their voices and experiences are critical to informing federal food and farm policy. They carry solutions, opportunities, and examples of the challenges farmers face every day, and they need to be part of the conversation to ensure that the 2023 Farm Bill serves farmers and communities across the nation,” said Kelsey Watson, NSAC Grassroots Co-Director.
Important themes of the “Fly-In” included the need for increased investment in federal working lands conservation programs, opportunities for the federal government to support local food systems, urgently needed reforms to key farm programs like crop insurance, and much more. Advocates highlighted big-picture needs like addressing the climate crisis and advancing equity along with specific bills to support, including the Agriculture Resilience Act and the Strengthening Local Processors Act, as well as protecting the Inflation Reduction Act’s generational investment in working lands conservation programs.
Farmers in all regions increasingly confront climate-related challenges like extreme weather events, pests, and hotter and drier conditions, among other impacts. These challenges impact productivity and livelihoods and take a toll on natural resources. Farmers urgently need greater support and access to federal programs in order to implement effective solutions.
NSAC thanks all of the participants for taking time out of their busy schedules to join our successful spring fly-in, as well as the Senators, Representatives, USDA officials, and staff members. We look forward to continuing to work closely with grassroots stakeholders and our champions as the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization approaches.
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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 and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net