Farm Bill 2012

Image used under creative commons license from matze_ott.

Congress begins its work on the 2012 Farm Bill in the midst of a budget deficit that will shape the new Farm Bill and set the course of federal agriculture and food assistance programs for the next five years. It is undeniable that the Farm Bill has a major impact on farmers, consumers, rural communities, the 40-plus million people receiving food assistance and, in no small way, global agribusiness—a primary beneficiary of U.S. federal agriculture programs.

At the same time, the Farm Bill often leaves out, or pays scant attention to, other important agriculture and food policy concerns. Health, food safety and the nutritional quality of the nation’s food supply often come up short or are ignored by Congress. The environment, comprehensive conservation and land-use planning, including agricultural water issues, need to be higher on the agenda of Farm Bill debates. New emerging topics are looking for their place in the Farm Bill: local food, urban agriculture, Farm to School, community gardens.

The 2007 Farm Bill, an extension of the 2002 Farm Security and Investment Act cost approximately $300 billion, with 75 percent going to food assistance. The remaining 25 percent went to conservation, energy, nutrition, education and, most importantly, farm safety-net programs, including payments to farmers and crop insurance.

Widespread hunger, and diets that lead to disease and suffering, are an indictment of our national food policy. An important and often overlooked issue is food justice—from growing and harvesting to selling and, ultimately, access to even the most basic nutritional needs—needs still out of reach for many communities across the country.

Designing a Farm Bill that can address these fundamental human, social, economic and environmental needs is an incredible challenge. IATP will provide useful and timely information on many of the debates and issues that will take place as we work to make a new Farm Bill. We will also look beyond the 2012 Farm Bill to find sustainable alternatives to ensure an abundant, safe and nutritious food supply that is fair to farmers, consumers and the natural systems that give us the food and fiber we need to live.

The U.S. Farm Bill leaves a huge footprint on the U.S. and the world. As Washington gears up for the debate, IATP analyzes what's at stake.

A Fair Farm Bill for America PDF: How Americans are effected everyday by the Farm Bill—from energy and health to the environment, labor and hunger.

A Fair Farm Bill for the World PDF: The Farm Bill's influence over world policies is colossal—the WTO, food aid, market concentration and public health may all change.

A Fair Farm Bill for Renewable Energy PDF: The Farm Bill should support the next generation of sustainable energy crops and strengthen local ownership

A Fair Farm Bill for the World's Hungry PDF: The Farm Bill could make food aid more efficient and stop pushing farmers in poor countries off the land

A Fair Farm Bill for Competitive Markets PDF: The Farm Bill should address the domination of agricultural markets by a few big companies.

A Fair Farm Bill for Public Health PDF: The U.S. Farm Bill could do a lot to support a healthier food system.

A Fair Farm Bill and Immigration PDF: A fair Farm Bill would help family farmers in Mexico and the United States.

A Fair Farm Bill for Conservation PDF: A better Farm Bill would do more to support farmers who improve soil and water quality, and enhance biodiversity.