Farm Bill

Links to Farm Bill information: organizations that we trust or sites that offer interesting information.

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition watches the Farm Bill process closely. Their 'Take Action' page is often a good place to find the latest information.

American Farmland Trust has become a major local food advocate, and tracks the Farm Bill process on a variety of issues, but especially the titles that impact farmland preservation.

The Land Trust Alliance has a well-linked site with advice on Farm Bill land preservation and conservation issues and specifics on six priorities that were developed with over 100 land trusts.

Community Food Security Coalition is another trusted organization that is expected to focus their efforts on food justice and food access issues.

The Center for Rural Affairs has suggestions for Farm Bill Platform that focuses on Rural Development, Beginning Farmers and Conservation

The Environmental Working Group offers some good background on the bill as well as their suggestions.

Healthy Food Action has issued a Charter for a Healthy Farm Bill.

Oryana Natural Foods Market will offer Farm Bill education sessions from time to time in Traverse City

Organic Farming Research Foundation is tracking how the Farm Bill will relate to organic certification, set asides for organic growers and more. Find their Farm Bill policy work here.

Food & Water Watch has initiated a Farm Bill campaign and has a local Traverse City representative working on Farm Bill issues until April, 2012. Contact Eleni Healey eleni@greencorps.org

Documents and other resources

Jim Sluyter and Diane Conners presented on the Food & Farm Bill at Bioneers on October 14. A PDF of the power point (without commentary) is online here.

Test your knowledge about food justice and the Farm Bill here.

Food and Farm Policy

Contacting your Legislators

Governor Rick Snyder

Michigan House members

Michigan Senate members

U.S. Congressional lawmakers

Senator Stabenow holds first Farm Bill Hearing of 2012

Today’s hearing, building on the twelve public hearings held in 2011, focused on rural development, bio-based manufacturing and Farm Bill energy initiatives. Read more...

'Super Committee' Fails.

The presumed result is that the Farm Bill will not be decided in the short term, but rather will be headed into the long, public process that was originally expected.

Michigan Organizations Urge Leadership Role on Farm Bill

Nineteen organizations sign on to letter to the 'Super Committee.' Read the text here...

Pre-Veterans Day Legislative Update

As we head into the federal holiday for Veterans Day, not much solid information is known about the big three legislative processes with major import for food and agriculture. This much we know for sure — next week will be critical moment for all three. Click here for a quick rundown.

Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act Introduced in Congress

On Tuesday, November 1 Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) and 35 original co-sponsors introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 1773, H.R. 3286), a comprehensive bill intended for inclusion in the 2012 Farm Bill. Read more...

Congress moves to create new farm subsidy

It would replace for the most part several other subsidy programs, including direct payments. Read More...

Farm Bill Update – November 4, 2011

no agreement has yet emerged. Read more...

Agriculture panel leaders agree to seek cuts

analysis from POLITICO

Senate and House Ag Committees Offer Recommendations for Deficit Reduction to the Joint Committee - Farm Bill may be written by Nov 1!

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow working for Michigan’s Food and Farming Interests

Local meetings focus on the next farm bill Read More...

Environmental leaders to Congress: Don’t stop funding conservation on farms

Michigan Good Food Charter

Find information on the Michigan Good Food Charter here

Download a pdf of the short Executive Summary here.

The detailed Charter, and larger pdf file, is available here.

Good Food Charter Working Group reports:

Farm Viability and Development

Youth Engagement and Opportunity

Institutional Food Purchasing

Food System Infrastructure

Good Food Access

Agenda Briefs - one page reports on each or the 25 agenda items are being prepared, telling a story or providing a specific call to action.

Monthly Good Food newsletter

October 2011: Michigan Groups Adopt Charter Goals; Keeping Tabs on State Legislation; State Priorities on Health, Ag. Align with Charter

November, 2011: NW Mich. Launches Project to Promote “Food Innovation Districts," New Farm & Food Action Council Kicks off in Clinton County, New Tools for Good Food Networking - incl map and timeline

December, 2011: Double Up Food Bucks reporting and updates (including Traverse Area Chamber commitment to 20% local sourcing).

January, 2012: MI Hospitals and Healthy Food Initiative, Food Hubs, next Charter Summit (June 14, 2012) and more.

February, 2012: Another Food Hub, policy updates and more.