Food and Farm Act

Food and Farm Act

This bill reauthorizes and modifies several Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that address

• commodity support,
• crop insurance,
• conservation,
• food assistance,
• nutrition,
• farm credit,
• beginning farmers and ranchers,
• food waste,
• research and educational programs,
• animal welfare, and
• regional food systems.

The bill modifies agriculture and nutrition policies to

• repeal the Agriculture Risk Coverage Program and the Price Loss Coverage Program;
• impose additional limits on farm subsidies;
• extend crop insurance premium subsidies to farmers who plant crops to reduce erosion;
• require recipients of farm subsidies to comply with additional conservation requirements;
• authorize increased funding for conservation programs;
• authorize additional assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for organic farmers;
• establish a loan program for conservation-based structural improvements;
• increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits;
• establish tax credits for the sale of qualified farming property to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers or ranchers, and beginning farmers or ranchers (and the purchase of farming property by such farmers or ranchers);
• establish the Office of Food Waste within USDA;
• authorize additional funding for research and education programs;
• establish an independent animal welfare certification tax credit;
• require USDA to comply with certain animal welfare standards at federal agricultural research centers; and
• expand grant and loan programs for local and regional food systems.

The Food and Farm Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 1824, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address various issues related to food and agriculture in the United States.

One key aspect of the Food and Farm Act is its focus on supporting small and mid-sized farmers. The bill includes provisions that aim to provide these farmers with access to resources and support to help them succeed in the industry. This includes funding for research and development, as well as programs to help farmers adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

Additionally, the Food and Farm Act includes measures to improve food safety and ensure the quality of food products in the US. This includes funding for inspections and monitoring of food production facilities, as well as initiatives to promote healthy eating habits and combat food insecurity. The bill also addresses issues related to rural development, including funding for infrastructure projects in rural communities and programs to support rural businesses. This is aimed at helping to revitalize rural economies and create jobs in these areas. Overall, the Food and Farm Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address a wide range of issues related to food and agriculture in the United States. It is designed to support farmers, improve food safety, and promote rural development, all with the goal of creating a more sustainable and secure food system for the country.