The Farm Bill
The Farm Bill is an omnibus piece of legislation that covers agriculture, conservation, rural development, research, and food assistance and nutrition and has a tremendous impact on the food system and how our food is grown. The first iteration of the bill was passed in 1933 as part of the New Deal and has been reauthorized every five years since that time. The process of updating the farm bill is extensive and includes proposals of the bill, debates, and a pass through Congress before it is signed into law by the President. Each bill has a unique name; the farm bill that expired in 2023 was called “the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018”.
The USDA’s website with information about the Farm Bill can be found here.
There are many non-profit organizations and other groups working on democratizing the updating and passing of the farm bill.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition offers a video and a written breakdown outlining the contents of the Farm Bill.
The National Young Farmers Coalition website hosts a variety of resources and updates regarding the Farm Bill.
The Food & Research Action Center offers many materials for farmers to analyze and potentially take action on the legislation outlined within the Farm Bill.
Tips on Working with Regulators and Permitters
Important strategy to form relationships, put your farm business on the map. Antagonistic or avoidant behavior has negative repercussions
Farmers’ Guide to Working with Regulators is an article from Farm Commons that helps farmers understand how local government works and learn helpful tips for how to work with inspectors and government agents.
Communicating with Regulators Basics is an article from Farm Commons that offers insights on strategically working with regulators such as inspectors, zoning boards and food safety officials.
Navigating Government Regulations in the Farming Industry is an article from The Farmer’s Shed that explores crucial information for farmers to be able to comply with government regulations.
Changing a Law/Policy
If you are interested in directly influencing agriculture policy or law, the first step is to familiarize yourself with your representatives or government contacts involved. This may include contacts on the local or federal levels; your local planning and zoning committee or the Agricultural Marketing Service at the USDA, for example. Forming long-term relationships with these contacts will ease communication channels and will build trust, potentially increasing the chances of your voice being included in policy or law.
Another method would be to do public outreach. The list of strategies for engaging community members and increasing awareness of local efforts is endless.
Good Laws Good Food- Putting Local Food Policy to Work for our Communities is a legal toolkit from Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic that evaluates food policy from topics like managing food waste to food system infrastructure.
Resources- Federal and Local
Food Policy Councils
Food policy councils have existed in North America for decades but are now gaining traction as liaisons between farmers and producers and local government contacts. Food policy councils may operate in slightly different ways depending on how the group is organized but essentially work to provide space for members of a local food system to connect to form partnerships or plan best practices and influence local legislation. Because food systems do not typically have their own government department or agency, food policy councils play an important role in filling this gap.
NYS Ag & Markets Council on Hunger and Food Policy The New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy (the “Council”) convenes to provide state policymakers with expertise on how to address food security and provide New York State residents with greater access to healthy, locally-grown food for in the coming year.
NYC Office of Food Policy works to increase food security; promote access to and consumption of healthy foods; and support economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and equity in the food system.
NYC Office of Urban Agriculture leads the City’s efforts to increase access to and production of locally grown food, strengthen climate resiliency, and spur economic activity throughout the five boroughs. Through research, policy development, advocacy, and community outreach, MOUA aims to address the climate, health, and food disparities in our natural and built environments. Through collaboration with other city agencies, MOUA advances urban agriculture on several fronts: environmental justice, gardens, urban farms, food equity, workforce development, and building a green, resilient economy.
NYC Food Policy Alliance is a group of 60+ food system stakeholders from across New York that work together to identify and advocate for public policies and funding that not only respond to current economic and hunger crises, but also address the ongoing vulnerabilities and injustices of the food system.
Rochester Food Policy Council helps focus community efforts towards policies that support a more equitable and healthy food system to create a long-lasting, sustainable impact on the overall health of the community.
Suffolk County Food Policy Council aims to promote the production, distribution, and awareness of locally grown food. Strengthen and prioritize policies that will improve food access, health, and nutrition. As well as, enhance the regional food system by utilizing local agriculture, fishing, and shellfish aquaculture.
Chautauqua County Food Policy Council brings together stakeholders from all sectors of the local food system, the Council envisions that all residents will have access to affordable, culturally appropriate, and nutritious food through sustainable agricultural and food business systems to promote the local economy.
Food Policy Council of Buffalo & Erie County aims to advocate for an equitable and sustainable food system for the people of Buffalo and Erie County by addressing community needs with solution-driven processes, while creating synergies and building partnerships to ensure all voices are hear
Broome County Food Council is composed of diverse partners, including people who have experienced food insecurity, with a goal to increase food security in Broome County through innovative & equitable solutions, lasting collaboration, education, communication, and advocacy
Cornell Cooperative Extension- Find Your Local Office– As the land grant university for New York State, Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension Network works in all counties to disseminate research and resources to communities.
