What you need to know about Farm Bill 2023
Every five years, Congress reauthorizes legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. Agriculture is an integral part of the Florida economy with the approximately 47,000 farmers and ranchers across the State generating an annual statewide economic impact of $149 billion.
From the citrus groves and the nurseries in Central and South Florida, to the vegetable growers in various regions around the state, it is important to support the growth and development of this industry by supporting policies that will encourage economic growth in Florida and nationwide. If we are to preserve America’s status as a leader in global agriculture, we must find ways to modernize our agriculture industry responsibly and efficiently, ensuring that we have the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food, fiber and fuel for consumers at home and abroad.
After a year of organizing and advocating for federal policy change, we have a lot to celebrate. The goal of the One Million Acres for the Future campaign is to secure a historic investment in equitable land policy from Congress in the 2023 Farm Bill. To reach this goal, we joined the kick-off of a two-year, 100-farmer Land Advocacy Fellowship, and in March, I personally flew with young farmers to amplify our voice in Washington, D.C. This effort was critical for us to share our needs, challenges, and ideas for the future of agriculture with Members of Congress.
Last year, these growers and our staff held nearly 100 in-district meetings with key Members of Congress; met with high-ranking USDA and White House officials; received high-profile press coverage; coordinated with our partners to publish a land policy platform in English and Spanish; and saw USDA create a novel land access funding opportunity for farmers directly in line with our asks. And we’re just getting started!
Federal policy change is incremental and hard won, and we believe that the campaign wins we have seen throughout the past year are proof that our theory of change is working.
As subject matter experts on land policy and futurists in urban agriculture, we encourage Black and Brown farmers to use this space to speak to the importance of solidarity in advocating for land policy change that centers equity and justice.
Additionally, the impacts of climate change continue to endanger our work. Extreme weather events, increasing pest pressure, prolonged drought, and natural disasters are putting stress on farm businesses such as mine.
