Today’s headlines indicate the  2018 Farm Bill could head to the House floor mid May.  Any bill that moves forward must address the the dramatic changes underway in farm country.

Ear tagging at the ranch

According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Association “nearly 100 million acres of farmland  is set to change hands over the next five years. To keep our agricultural economy strong, the next farm bill needs to facilitate the transfer of skills, knowledge, and land between current and future generations of family farmers.”

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity act (H.R. 4216) and the Next Generation in Agriculture Act (S 2762H) seek to address the looming shortage of farmers and ranchers.

Legislation must also address the  farm to table movement.  Consumers must have more opportunities to buy locally grown food.  But that will only happen by supporting our region’s farmers.    To learn more about the farm bill and its impact on consumers and producers follow this link.