Our Farm Bill Champions are here with resources to fill you in on all the details you need to understand the 2023 Farm Bill.
National Farmers Union
National Farmers Union (NFU) has put together an informative and compelling set of resources to help farmers and eaters understand the Farm Bill, fully grasp its importance, and learn how each of us can advocate for the best Farm and Food Bill possible. In addition to the fantastic videos below, click through to their website to hear from family farmers about what the Farm Bill means to them. Their words, and the video footage from their farms, are beautiful. While you’re there, scroll to the bottom of the webpage for simple fact sheets about specific Farm Bill issues, including conservation, the farm safety net, beginning farmers and farmer stress.
National Family Farm Coalition
National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) is a coalition representing family farmers. They believe the 2023 Farm Bill is an “opportunity to fundamentally transform our food system by implementing policies that support good food for everyone, thriving rural communities and local economies, and resilience against climate change and ecosystem damage.” For those who want a better understanding of the real nuts and bolts of farm policy, check out NFFC’s farm bill platform, where you can learn about their policy priorities from dairy reform and supply management, to equitable implementation of USDA debt relief.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) works on Capitol Hill representing over 100 member organizations (including Farm Aid!) that work individually and collectively for a better food system. As a group, the Coalition advocates for federal policies that advance sustainable agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill platform advances opportunity, equity and stewardship, building a better future for family farms by:
- Advancing racial equity across the food system
- Building a climate-resilient future
- Investing in healthy rural and urban communities
- Leveling the playing field for small and mid-sized farmers
NSAC is our go-to resource for understanding the policy maneuvers that happen quickly as the farm bill process gets underway. For instance, their blog is updated frequently with insights and analyses about changes to the Farm Bill as it progresses through the legislative process. Sign up for NSAC action alerts on their website and you can be as tuned into the Farm Bill as these ag policy wonks!
Read NSAC’s full 2023 Farm Bill platform
National Young Farmers Coalition
National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is a coalition of young farmers and ranchers working to shift power and change policy to equitably resource our new generation of working farmers. Their work includes ensuring that production, conservation, and marketing programs are accessible and accountable to this generation, as well as breaking down all barriers to their success. NYFC’s areas of focus include: land access, climate action, water access, immigration and labor justice, federal program access and accountability, and farmer mental health.
Learn more by reading NYFC’s 2023 Farm Bill updates
Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA
Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) has a Farm Bill web page chock full of information including their platform focused on the Southeastern U.S. and in partnership with a full diversity of farmers, farm workers, advocates and rural communities. Join their policy action network to receive food system policy updates, action alerts, social media activism guides, and training opportunities about the issues you’re interested in. They also have a handy marker bill tracker for keeping on top of proposed bills and issues.
Check out RAFI-USA’s Farm Bill resources here
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Since they work on agriculture and trade policy, a specific focus of Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)’s material is the interconnectedness of trade policy and the Farm Bill. As Ben Lilliston of IATP puts it, “Our farm bill is really designed to produce an excess of what we can consume in the United States in order to export more and more and this system works really well for agribusiness firms that are global.” IATP’s Crisis by Design article series provides detailed information on how our food system arrived at its current state and what these policies mean for the future.
Explore IATP’s Farm Bill Portal here
The National Agricultural Law Center
If you really want to dig in deep, head on over to The National Agricultural Law Center, where you can read the text of all of the Farm Bills throughout history! Too much for you? Here are a couple highlights:
The first farm bill, the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, was just 25 pages long!
In contrast, the Agricultural Act of 2014 was 357 pages long…
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) is organizing farmers and farm and food advocates to “stand together” for a Farm Bill that supports sustainable and organic agriculture, and builds the next generation of farmers.
Find advocacy resources and sign up to get the latest farm bill information and action
Farm Action
Farm Action envisions a fair, inclusive, and competitive food and agriculture system that respects our land, natural resources, and neighbors around the world. Check out their informative Farm Bill webinar series, dig into their tools and resources, and join their Fair Farm Bill Campaign to help fight Big Ag’s status quo.
Access Farm Action’s resources
Native Farm Bill Coalition
Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) is a nationwide initiative to lift up the voices of Native American producers and Tribal governments to advance a common policy agenda.
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
California is an agricultural powerhouse, and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is the voice of sustainable agriculture in California. Their policy page has great information on California food and farming policy, as well as a tool for contacting your legislative representative.
Organic Farmers Association
Organic Farmers Association (OFA) has great resources on how the Farm Bill affects organic farmers, and how funding in each title affects organic agriculture.
