[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 INTRODUCTION OF THE FOOD AND FARM ACT

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                         HON. EARL BLUMENAUER-

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2023

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Food and Farm 
Act. This legislation is a holistic vision for a better Farm Bill that 
focuses resources on those who need them most, fosters innovation, 
encourages investment in people and the planet, and ensures access to 
healthy foods.
  The Food and Farm Act reforms the federal farm safety net so that it 
stops giving too much to the wrong people to grow the wrong things in 
the wrong places. Federally backed crop and commodity insurance wastes 
taxpayer dollars by giving big agribusiness massive subsidies while 
small farmers and ranchers are left to struggle.
  These subsidies are highly targeted to six commodity crops that 
receive 94 percent of all subsidies, disadvantaging diversified farms 
and nurseries that grow the food we actually eat. In my home state of 
Oregon, known for its agricultural bounty, nearly 9 in 10 farmers 
receive no subsidies from the federal government.
  Agriculture accounts for more than 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas 
emissions, yet the Farm Bill has historically been a failed opportunity 
to promote climate resilience. Federal dollars should come with 
conservation requirements that lead to better water quality, reduced 
soil erosion, more vegetation buffers, cover cropping practices, and 
supporting pollinator habitats.
  Making these upstream to changes to what we grow would result in 
countless downstream nutrition and health benefits. Food assistance 
programs should expand access to healthy foods, whether it's in a 
grocery school, farmers market or school lunch.
  The last few years underscored the need for strong local food systems 
that are insulated from international markets and supply chain shocks. 
We should be growing the food we need to nourish our population here at 
home, and supporting the next generation of farmers and ranchers who 
want to do just that.
  I look forward to crafting a better food and farm policy this year 
that supports small and mid-size farmers and ranchers, protects our 
environment, and promotes access to healthy food.

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