Earl BlumenauerVerified account

Flying under the radar on Capitol Hill: the House Ag Committee is considering the #FarmBill – a massive piece of legislation that dictates everything from the price of a gallon of milk to the availability of healthy food for those in need. The House GOP #FarmBill is a disgrace:

GOP #FarmBill: doubles down on paying too much to the wrong people to grow the wrong food in the wrong places. It’s filled with loopholes that are designed to make it easier for big corporations to get subsidies. 94% of these subsidies go to only six “commodity” crops.

My #FoodAndFarmAct: gets rid of excessive commodity programs, limits payments to rich farmers, & makes crop insurance more accessible to farmers that grow REAL food. #FixTheFarmBill

GOP #FarmBill: cuts conservation funding by $1 billion and gets rid of the Conservation Stewardship Program–one of the largest programs we use to help farmers become more sustainable.

My #FoodAndFarmAct: doubles investments in conservation and reforms these programs to actually focus on the best practices that improve the environment, while ensuring that smaller farmers, NOT industrial Ag, get funding. #FixTheFarmBill

GOP #FarmBill: does little to invest in beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers.

My #FoodAndFarmAct: expands permanent funding for programs that help beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers get their feet off the ground and connects retiring farmers with the next generation. #FixTheFarmBill

Farmers markets are a great way to meet local farmers, learn more about where your food is coming from & of course, get healthy foods. GOP #FarmBill: cuts programs that help promote farmers markets and local food.