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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Friday, March 29, 2024
A revised climate funding package Democrats are pushing through the Senate this weekend scraps a debt relief program for minority farmers that was blocked by the courts and replaces it with new programs earmarked for “distressed” USDA borrowers as well as farmers the department has discriminated against.
The landmark climate deal Democrats hope will clear Congress in coming days would upend the coming debate over the next farm bill, satisfying demands for new conservation spending but leaving farm groups still scrambling to fund enhancements in commodity programs.
Senate Democrats don’t have a vote to spare this week as they try to pass their historic climate package, including more than $20 billion aimed at helping farmers adopt practices that reduce greenhouse emissions.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced an agreement with Sen. Joe Manchin on a narrow reconciliation bill that would provide $369 billion in climate-related provisions, including more than $20 billion for farm bill conservation assistance and additional incentives for low-carbon biofuels and rural electric co-ops.
Minnesota commodity groups, local farmers and anti-hunger advocates brought a wide-ranging set of policy requests to the ears of Reps. Angie Craig, D-Minn., and Cheri Bustos, D-Ill. at a House Ag Committee listening session on Monday.
The next farm bill must help minority and beginning farmers get access to land and modify federal nutrition programs to create markets for the food they produce, say groups advocating for those farmers.
A partisan divide is emerging heading into the upcoming farm bill over whether or not to link crop insurance coverage with climate change mitigation efforts.