As lawmakers mark up, rewrite and weigh the benefits of the climate smart guardrails in the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024, otherwise known as the farm bill, farmers across the nation are sending clear signals that the need to preserve conservation funding, which has been at historically high levels in past legislation, is critical to the resilience of American agriculture’s future.
In May, shortly after the passage of the farm bill out of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Farm Journal released poll findings commissioned on behalf of Invest In Our Land that showed an overwhelming sentiment amongst farmers that climate smart funding is critical to building their resilience to extreme weather and climate change impacts.
This week, Invest in Our Land brought this message loud and clear to the industry at the Pennsylvania Ag Progress Days, the battleground state’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition.
“Nobody works harder than the American farmer,” said Joe Hack, Invest in Our Land spokesperson. “But right now, many of them are facing serious challenges — including drought, floods, and other increasingly extreme weather that not only threatens our farmers’ livelihoods today, but also puts the future of their farms and their families at risk.
“The data is clear: America’s farmers and ranchers know firsthand that climate-smart conservation funding is a crucial tool in helping their farms weather these storms, along with other impacts of a changing climate. As Congress continues to work on these issues in the weeks ahead, we encourage them to continue to listen to the voices of our hard-working farmers.”
Perhaps the most visible signal at the event was the 2-acre conservation-focused crop art by world-renowned earthworks artist Stan Herd, which attendees could view both from the ground and from high above in hot air balloons. According to Invest in Our Land, the artwork pays tribute to environmentalist, farmer and poet Wendell Berry and his poem “Below.”
Climate-smart funding was also top of mind in the events held on the ground as well through farmer-led conversations, educational demonstrations, panels and legislative receptions.
Jeff Frey, a Pennsylvania farmer in attendance at the event, spoke out because he realizes the importance of conservation to the future of his farm. The notion is so ingrained that the name of his farm is Future View Farm.
“For the environment, economically - it’s just the right thing to do,” Frey said. “The 20 billion dollars approved through the Inflation Reduction Act - it raises the bar and is important for conservation measures, and for the economic viability of the farm. Conservation farming is not red or blue. It’s not tied to any agenda.”
As the farm bill progress marches forward, follow AgWeb’s continued coverage.
