Farm Policy Facing a ‘Historic Moment’

It’s an important time for the future of U.S. ag policy.  Joe Maxwell, Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Farm Action, said they put together policy statements because it’s a “historic time” for U.S. agriculture.

"While members of the House and Senate of both parties have offered solutions to address issues highlighted in the MAHA commission report, there's not been a time for this type of national platform from the White House, from HHS, and from USDA, has been presented to the people in this country," Maxwell said.  "This is the moment for all of us who care about taking on corporate power, corporations that are dictating our markets and our price. They're telling us who gets the farm and what we farm, and even who gets to eat healthy food. We saw this as that historic moment. This is the time to go forward and to push the policies that will make America healthy again.”

The Farm Bill Hasn't Focused On The Best Things

He talks about the solutions Farm Action is proposing in their recommendations.

“We believe you have to address farm subsidy programs if we're going to promote a healthy food system," Maxwell added.  "Our government, for far too long, through the Farm Bill, has prioritized farm programs that have focused on field crops more so than it has on the production of healthy food crops like fruits and vegetables. We call those specialty crops. The current system puts way too high of a priority on raising the lower-value field crops that big ag and big food then turn into livestock feed and ultra-processed foods. We also have to begin to think about farmers, as the commission report indicates, as being centered in health. Before, I think we, as farmers, no one thought about us as being a big part of the health of America. It's also a mindset change. We got to take on the consolidation of the food system.”

Changes Need To Happen Across the Industry

Farm Action would also like to see changes in pesticide and herbicide use by farmers.

“We've got to incentivize farmers to move towards conservation-type programs that reduce our need on the chemicals that we're using, the pesticides and herbicides," he said.  "Finally, I think we're not going to get there unless we confront the corporate capture and revolving door issue that the report talks about right now. You know, individuals go to work for an industry, and the next thing you know, they're back in one of the agencies overseeing the very people they just worked for.”

He said there’s one big hurdle America faces in developing a healthy food system, as was called for in the recent MAHA Commission report.

President Trump Needs To Lead

“To achieve the goals outlined in the commission's report, it will require both parties," Maxwell said.  "Not one party or the other will deliver a healthier agriculture food system. President Trump has to recognize his actions are necessary if we're to achieve this. He's got to push USDA, HHS, and the other agencies to push back against the corporate capture within their own agencies. Our recommendations include both Republican and Democrat legislative packages from past congresses. If the Republicans and the Democrats can come together, we can realize a healthier, safer food system for America that centers farmers and gives us the tools we need to feed our neighbors.”

Learn more about Farm Action by visiting the organization's Website.

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