Farm Bill Simplified: Growing New Markets for Farmers

The Senate Agriculture Committee released a newsletter entitled “Farm Bill 101: Growing New Markets for Farmers.” This one-pager is designed to be easily digestible and explain trade markets in layman’s terms.

“The success of our agricultural economy requires investment in markets and opportunities for all farmers. The Farm Bill helps put food from America farmers on tables in our communities and around the world," said Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow.

A Farm Bill for a Global Market:

• American agricultural exports grew from $66 billion in 1996 to a record of more than $196 billion last year, supporting more than 1 million American jobs both on and off the farm.
• U.S. agricultural products are world renowned for safety and quality, and Farm Bill investments help continue that proven record well into the future.
• Farm Bill programs that invest in strengthening markets around the world not only help American farmers thrive, but also open the world to more diverse types of food and helps to ensure global food security.

 The Farm Bill’s History in Global Markets: 

• Over the years, Farm Bill trade programs have worked to build, maintain, and expand markets for American agricultural products around the world.
• These programs support research efforts, marketing, technical assistance, and building the infrastructure and information needed to support new and expanding markets.
• Research has shown that these programs effectively increase demand for American products around the world.

 Interesting Fact: 

• About one-fifth of American agriculture production is destined for foreign markets, but some of our biggest foreign markets remain our own neighbors, Canada and Mexico!
• According to a 2022 study, every dollar invested in USDA Export Market Development programs returned $24.50 in new agricultural export value. That represents nearly 15% of total agricultural export value since 1997!

The Farm Bill in Action:

• The Market Access Program supports overseas marketing and promotional activities.
• The Foreign Market Development Program invests in consumer promotions, technical assistance, and market research.
• The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program helps fruit and vegetable growers overcome technical barriers to trade that prevent or threaten export markets.
• The Emerging Markets Program supports long-term market development in emerging economies that have potential to provide a significant market for U.S. agricultural commodities.
• And much more!

Find Out More:

• You can learn more about how the Farm Bill supports trade for American farms here.
• Farm Bill Urban Agriculture can be found here
• Nutrition segments of the bill are explained here

Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, PNW Ag Network