As Congress prepares to draft the 2023 Farm Bill, critical issues regarding food security, agricultural support, and rural development are taking center stage. Lawmakers, farmers, and advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg to discuss their priorities and challenges for this once-every-five-year legislation, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the American food supply chain and rural economies.

House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson kicked off the session, emphasizing the bill’s broad impact. “This is probably the most important industry from the standpoint it touches the lives of every American family more times a day than any other industry,” Thompson said. His remarks set the stage for a robust discussion on the future of American agriculture and food security​.

One of the major points of discussion was the accessibility and affordability of crop insurance. Elizabeth Hinkel, president of the Pennsylvania Corn Growers, highlighted the urgent need to make crop insurance more accessible to farmers. Currently, about 45% of corn acres in Pennsylvania are uninsured, leaving farmers vulnerable to financial losses from climate events and other disasters. Hinkel stressed the importance of lawmakers making crop insurance more affordable to ensure farmers can protect their livelihoods​.

The nutrition title, which accounts for about 80% of the Farm Bill’s spending, was another critical focus. This portion of the bill manages nutrition assistance programs such as food stamps and sets the rules for program operation and eligibility. Kia Hansard, program director at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), advocated for increased investment in the SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program. She argued that income received from this program should not be counted when calculating SNAP eligibility. “Participants are then faced with having to choose between obtaining the training and skills needed to ensure their long-term success or keeping the security of simply being able to feed themselves in the short term,” Hansard explained​​.

Dennis Nuxoll, vice president of government affairs at Western Growers, emphasized that the Farm Bill benefits a wide range of rural residents, not just farmers. He pointed out that even rural libraries and infrastructure projects rely on funding from the Farm Bill, illustrating its far-reaching impact. “You can live in a rural community and be a librarian. And in the farm bill, there are programs that your small town accesses to build the library that you work in and some of the infrastructure of your town,” Nuxoll said​​.

As the expiration date for the 2018 Farm Bill approaches in September, various stakeholders, including mayors, crop advocacy groups, labor advocates, and utility companies, are vying for their interests to be included in the new legislation. The Department of Agriculture’s role in deploying programs to support rural areas, including grants for hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, is also a critical aspect of the bill​ (KPBS)​.

Additionally, the Farm Bill will address research funding, which supports colleges, universities, and public and private institutions in conducting essential agricultural research. This research is crucial for developing new technologies and practices that can enhance productivity and sustainability in farming​.

With a short timeline and internal disagreements among House Republicans, the feasibility of passing a comprehensive measure in time remains a concern. However, the discussions and testimonies at the Pennsylvania Farm Show highlighted the diverse and urgent needs that the 2023 Farm Bill must address to support American agriculture and food security effectively​.