The Farm Bill is now being considered in the Senate, and sharing your experiences and values can help shape a result that meets rural and nutritional needs.

A partisan Farm Bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives on Apr. 30 by a near party line vote. This comes as many governors say the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program could be in jeopardy in their state if Congress does not take any action, and as farmers are facing high production costs, unstable markets and more. As the Farm Bill now faces consideration in the Senate, the input of faith partners will be crucial to advancing a more bipartisan farm bill that supports needs of hungry people, rural communities and farmer families. (More information is available on the ELCA Advocacy Blog.)

At a time when houses of worship, food pantries, farmers, global partners and ELCA World Hunger affiliates are reporting alarming new rates of food requests in our communities, Congress should pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that promotes sustainable livelihoods for all.  Ask your senators to advance provisions that will help boost both rural communities and hungry families in need, including: 

• Rejecting cuts and new state burdens to SNAP scheduled to phase in later this year, and starting a pathway for Puerto Rico to receive full SNAP benefits;
• Reauthorizing international food aid programs, such as Food for Peace, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust;
• Increasing local and regional procurement of international food aid for emergency relief and development programs;
• Promoting innovative practices for soil health and agroforestry in oversubscribed farm programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP); and
• Expanding and making permanent the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Self-Determination Demonstration Project to eligible tribes.

Public partners in the administration and Congress increasingly respect the critical role houses of worship play in addressing food security – making the feedback of the faith community essential in this conversation. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry could soon release bill text – so this is a critical time to help share the top priorities of our communities. 

Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values.