Family Farms Want Fair Shake in Farm Bill Negotiations

(KNSI) — Congress is gathering input as it looks to reauthorize the Farm Bill, and voices from Minnesota’s agricultural sector hope independent family farms get a fair shake.

Dairy farmer Bonnie Haugen recently traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with lawmakers about what she and other advocates want to see in the funding package. She says Congress needs to shift more support to smaller operations, noting too many monopolies have eroded the presence of family farms, including in her area.

“When we bought these acres, 30 years ago this year, there was about 12 dairy farms within about a three-mile radius. As of last March, we are the last ones.”

The Farm Bill covers a range of components tied to the nation’s food system.

The Land Stewardship Project’s Sarah Goldman says more Minnesota farmers are nearing retirement age and predicts a huge generational land transfer in the coming years. She says Congress has an opportunity to create a better path for those who want to carry on the spirit of family farms.

“If we aren’t able to facilitate land access for beginning farmers, then there aren’t going to be folks who are able to continue on and support their communities, and feed their communities.”

Her organization believes there should be more support for incubators and cooperative farms. It says that could boost access to infrastructure and equipment, and training for aspiring producers.

Some elements of the emerging plan have bipartisan support, but there are still political differences within the debate.

The Farm Bill is updated every five years, and the current plan expires this fall.

___

MNC Reporter Mike Moen contributed to this story.

___