8/19 Farm Bill Advocacy - Endorse the NFFC Farm Bill Platform Now!

SENATE FARM BILL FAILS - The Senate Agriculture Committee did not advance its draft of the Farm Bill to a floor vote. Disagreements over the bill drafts arose from delays in changing the SNAP cuts from last year's H.R. 1, which Democrats said they needed to see to support the bill. As a result, the committee did not approve the bill. Before the vote, the Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for Beef amendment proposed by Senator Thune was adopted for inclusion in the draft text of the Senate version of the farm bill. 

Many other policy priorities that Rural Vermont endorses through the National Family Farm Coalition have been submitted as amendments and still have a chance to advance! The Senate Ag Committee is in recess until September, when the Senate is back in session - time to be in touch with Senators!

Thank Senator Welch for proposing to include the LOCAL Foods Act and the Fair Credit for Farmers Act in the farm bill and support the NFFC Farm Bill Platform! These bills would clarify that on-farm slaughter is legal nationwide and ensure farmers have access to loans, with fair interest rates and flexible payment rates. 

Read NFFC’s press release regarding the failed Senate Farm Bill here, calling for support of the following bipartisan amendments proposed: 

  • Sen. Booker’s (D-NJ) amendment, based on the Farmland for Farmers Act, which would restrict purchases of farmland by investment corporations.

  • Sen. Grassley’s (R-IA) amendment, supported by Sens. Smith (D-MN) and Booker (D-NJ), which would codify three finalized rulemakings under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921.

  • Sen. Welch’s (D-VT) amendments, based on the Fair Credit for Farmers Act and the LOCAL Foods Act, which would improve access to credit and local meat-processing regulations, respectively

You can reach out to the offices of each member of the federal delegation to discuss farm bill and other relevant policy issues: 

  • Senator Bernie Sanders: Burlington Office is located at 1 Church Street, Third Floor, Burlington, VT 05401 (Phone: 802-862-0697).

  • Senator Peter Welch: Burlington Office is located at 199 Main Street, 4th Floor, Burlington, VT 05401 (Phone: 802-863-2525).

  • Representative Becca Balint: Burlington District Office at 159 Bank Street, Suite 204, Burlington, VT 05401 (Phone: 802-652-2450); there’s also a Brattleboro Distr

Rural Vermont