Why should planners care about the Farm Bill?

Every five to seven years, Congress votes to reauthorize one of the largest and most significant legislative measures affecting land use policies in the U.S - the Farm Bill. This year, Congress will debate the omnibus legislation that defines not only America's agricultural policy, but determines funding priorities for rural development, food and nutrition assistance, energy and environmental issues.

The 2007 Farm Bill represents a major opportunity to create a healthier and more sustainable food system. Unfortunately, many of the policies and spending priorities of the Farm Bill fail to meet the needs of farmers, communities, and citizens. At its core, the Farm Bill was designed to create stable and sustainable rural communities. However, the current farm safety net provides support to less than half of the nation's farms. The bulk of the payments support a narrow set of commodities, including corn, soy, and wheat, that provide cheap raw materials for processed ingredients and animal feed. And while about half of every Farm Bill dollar goes to the federal food and nutrition assistance programs, more than 35 million Americans struggle to feed their families and rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases have reached epidemic proportions. Our Farm Bill policies have failed to halt the loss of farm land; contributed to poor water quality and soil erosion; and compounded economic instability in farming communities around the world who must compete with subsidized American commodities.

This year, the debate in Congress is spreading far beyond the traditional farm bill interests. Environmentalists, public health advocates, and community development advocates are joining the call for a Farm Bill that promotes a healthier and more sustainable food system. These advocates have recognized that the Farm Bill policies and allocations fail to reflect what farmers, the environment, and communities actually need. This Farm Bill represents an opportunity to advance a national dialogue about the future of our food system.

What can planners do?

• Consider joining the American Planning Association and more than 400 national, state, and local organizations who have signed on to a policy statement put forth by the Food and Farm Project. The policy statement outlines strategies to renew American agricultural, reduce hunger and improve health, enhance urban and rural community development, and protect the environment.

• The Community Food Security Coalition has also identified a set up legislative priorities to create healthy urban and rural communities.
• Beyond advocacy, the Farm Bill debate represents an opportunity to become more informed about how the food system functions.
• Educate yourself about issues facing family farmers.
• Learn more about the challenges low-income people in your community must overcome to provide a healthy, affordable meal for their families.
• Find out what food stamp participation rates are in your state and how many households are classified as "food insecure."

• For a more detailed look at how farm subsidies function in the U.S, visit the Environmental Working Group's Farm Subsidy Database.