ASBN Statement: Senate Advances Farm Bill, But Misses Opportunity to Strengthen America’s Food and Farm Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its Farm Bill legislation Wednesday, Sept. 16, moving forward a bill that the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN), a business organization that, with its members and state affiliates, collectively represents over 200,000 businesses across the U.S., says falls short of what farmers, families, and businesses need from federal food and agriculture policy.

“Congress had an opportunity to make this Farm Bill work better for farmers, families, and businesses, but instead moved forward without addressing some of its most significant shortcomings,” said Liza LaManna, Manager of Agriculture & Water Policy at the American Sustainable Business Network. “Getting a Farm Bill across the finish line matters, but so does getting the policy right.”

American businesses depend on a food and agriculture system that is resilient, competitive, and capable of supporting farmers, workers, and communities for the long term. The Farm Bill 2.0 text falls short of that standard.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a critical part of that economic system. SNAP benefits provide purchasing power that flows through local economies, supporting grocery stores, food retailers, farmers, and other businesses. During times of financial hardship, SNAP helps workers and families continue to afford food while supporting the businesses and producers that depend on those sales. For small farms and food businesses, SNAP purchases at farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, and other authorized retailers can also create important sources of local demand and income.

The bill also leaves important conservation investments on the table. Programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) give farmers voluntary tools to manage risk, improve soil health, and build more resilient operations. Cutting these investments while asking farmers to manage more risk leaves producers with fewer tools to strengthen their businesses and the long-term productivity of their operations.

ASBN also supports stronger markets, greater transparency, and meaningful state authority throughout the food supply chain. ASBN welcomes the committee’s decision to retain the amendment for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef, which would give consumers meaningful information about where their food comes from while giving American producers an opportunity to distinguish their products in the marketplace. 

At the same time, states should retain the ability to establish and enforce standards that reflect the needs of their farmers, businesses, and communities. Federal policy should not prevent states from maintaining stronger pesticide standards or addressing local agricultural conditions.

“Farm policy is economic policy,” said LaManna. “If Congress wants a stronger food and farm economy, it needs to invest in the farmers, farmworkers, families, and businesses that keep that economy moving.”

The Farm Bill is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for America’s food and agricultural economy. ASBN urges senators to use the next stage of the legislative process to address the bill’s remaining shortcomings and work toward a bipartisan Farm Bill that strengthens the economic viability and resilience of America’s food and farm system.