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The U.S. Congress is working to draft a new, five-year Farm Bill. “You may already know Farm Bill reauthorization is underway,” says John Johnson, ELCA Program Director for Domestic Policy. This impacts all of us who eat, including those of us who struggle with hunger. Beyond our bellies, we’ll feel the impact of farm bill policy decisions through our vocations. “Many of you work on farms, in businesses, and help to feed hungry people not only in the United States but around the world,” he observes.
What Is the Farm Bill and Why Now?
The farm bill is legislation that is critical to addressing hunger in the United States and globally. It covers federal nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), environment, trade, foreign aid and rural development. The bill impacts the lives of Lutherans and their communities – among us are farmers and ranchers and Indigenous communities and global partners and low income Americans.
Congress is preparing to reauthorize the bill in 2023. Each reauthorization provides an opportunity to improve or expand programs that ensure access to fresh and healthy food while addressing root causes of hunger.
What Is a Listening Session?
ELCA farm bill listening sessions are virtual gatherings where ministry leaders, members of congregations, and those with valuable lived experiences gather our opinions and experiences informed by faith values on stewardship, justice and serving our neighbor. This input will equip one another and the many communities of this church for farm bill advocacy that reflects those values, including our ELCA Witness in Society advocacy staff. These viewpoints, opportunities, concerns and hopes for a future farm bill will inform ELCA advocacy and help shape the ultimate law that Congress passes.
When Are They Happening & How Can I Register?
At this time, three, 1.5 hour listening sessions are scheduled in April 2023. Register for any, but each session will feature some discussion specific to the region of a particular time zone.
- Eastern & Central Time Zone focus
Tuesday, April 18 – 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT
Register – https://bit.ly/ELCAfarmbilllisteningEasternCentral
- Pacific Time Zone focus
Friday, April 21 – 12 noon PT [3 p.m. ET)
Register – https://bit.ly/ELCAfarmbilllisteningPacific
- Mountain Time Zone focus
Tuesday, April 25 – 6 p.m. MT (8 p.m. ET)
Register – https://bit.ly/ELCAfarmbilllisteningMountain
Invite others using social posts from @ELCAadvocacy!
Conclusion
Current legislation is set to expire in September 2023, and our faithful action can impact reauthorization decisions. On Capitol Hill, our faith-centered perspectives will inform ELCA advocacy as we advance priorities toward a just world where all are fed. “We need your expertise, and we need your comments, hopes and dreams for how this Farm Bill can make a better world,” invites Johnson. Please be part of a Listening Session to Inform ELCA Farm Bill Advocacy.
Want to learn more?
- “What is the farm bill?” – With an overview on basics using infographics including the legislative process, see page on sustainableagriculture.net. “The farm bill connects the food on our plates, the farmers and ranchers who produce that food, and the natural resources – our soil, air and water – that make growing food possible.”
- The ELCA is in partnership with Bread for the World which has prepared useful overview pieces on both “Nutrition: Building a Healthy, Equitable, and Sustainable Food System via the Farm Bill” and “Fact sheet: Farm Bill International.”
- And written in 2018 as that prior farm bill reauthorization process was underway, ELCA advocacy staff prepared this “ELCA Advocacy Farm Bill Introduction.”
