Letter: Work with local legislators on new Farm Bill

To the Editor:

Every five years, Congress approves a new Farm Bill. The current bill will expire Sept. 30, and we have an enormous opportunity for farmers and rural community members to make their voice heard as this important piece of legislation is being drafted.

The Farm Bill is comprised of 12 titles, ranging from conservation programs to food security programs. it touches virtually every corner of food and agriculture systems in our communities and due to its vast scope, needs to gain support from both urban and rural elected officials across the country.

As a crop and livestock farmer, I recently had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. along with members of the Land Stewardship Project to meet with Minnesota congressional representatives to talk about changes I would like to see in the Farm Bill. Among top concerns for my family and fellow farmers is making sure the new generation of farmers has access to land. Currently, the average age of farmers exceeds that of most other occupational groups. In Minnesota, for example, the average age of farmers in the state in 2017 was 58 years old.

During our visit, we stressed the importance of constructing a Farm Bill that seeks to narrow that age gap. In addition, starting a career in agriculture today can be very difficult considering not only the high cost of land but also the volatility farmers are experiencing due to extreme weather events brought on by a changing climate. The Farm Bill must bolster programs that help to promote conserva- tion and mitigate the effects of climate change. By targeting support to beginning farmers, along with incentivizing conservation practices across farming operations, we can encourage more young people to enter the farming field and help solve the impending environmental crisis that climate change will bring.

Agriculture can play an important role in combating climate change, but legislators have to act now. The 2023 Farm Bill must prioritize this issue, while at the same time targeting sup- port for young people choosing to farm, and slowing the rate of consolidation. This will benefit our rural communities and businesses.

Please take the time to reach out to our Minnesota congressional delegation. Ask them to support LSP’s 2023 Farm Bill platform (landstewardshipproject.org/farmbill2023), along with our “farmers for climate action” priorities!

Thank you.

Darrel Mosel Gaylord, Minn.