Farm Bill
The Farm Bill is a cornerstone of supporting both the agriculture community and federal nutrition programs, including SNAP. It is a massive piece of federal legislation that is evaluated and passed approximately every five years. The Farm Bill is made up of 12 core areas, called “Titles”. Each Title is broken down into Subtitles and Sections that outline specific policies and spending authorizations.
How does it impact Alaskans?
The Farm Bill authorizes and, in some cases funds, vital federal programs that are used every day by Alaskans across the food system. From food stamps to high tunnels, the Farm Bill covers nutrition, conservation, farm business, disaster assistance, and more. You can see the list of specific programs AFPC is following here.
What are AFPC’s priorities with the Farm Bill?
Broadly, AFPC has identified guiding principles that help us define what a good Farm Bill for Alaska looks like. These include:
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The Farm Bill should support vital nutrition programs, agriculture support programs, rural development efforts, and sound policies that enable food banks and the agriculture and food industry to strengthen partnerships that connect excess food with people in need. Doing so will maximize the impact of public and private efforts to address food insecurity, and ensure that food is delivered in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
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America's growers and producers are extremely generous, donating millions of pounds of food to those in need. Yet it often can cost farmers more to harvest and donate food than to leave it in the field. Congress can help ensure that produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and other nutritious foods grown in the U.S. are connected with communities in need by providing the resources for food banks and others to cover the cost of harvesting and transporting donated excess food.
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As a relatively new state, we need additional food-related infrastructures, such as storage, transportation, distribution, and processing capacity. Alaska farmers also need technical support for business planning and marketing to help connect them to local consumers. Programs that improve local and regional market development and purchasing, would have a direct benefit to Alaska producers
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Alaska leads the nation in agricultural growth and there’s no sign of it slowing down. The average age of a producer in Alaska is 2.5 years younger compared to the national average age. Alaska leads the nation in new and beginning producers. Almost half – 46 percent – of the state's farmers have 10 years or less experience on any farms. Beginning farmers in Alaska need affordable and desirable farmland, start-up capital and financing, and access to hands-on training and risk management tools. Programs that improve opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers would be a good fit for Alaska producers.
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Throughout the provisions of the Farm Bill, AFPC is a firm ally with the Native Farm Bill Coalition, advocating for provisions that expand and strengthen Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, self-governance, and parity.
Alaskan agricultural producers and nutrition agencies have a strong history of working together to build a food system that creates jobs, supports healthy communities, and increases our food security. AFPC is committed to following the Farm Bill as it starts moving in Congress and providing updates here.
