Recent research reveals a pressing issue for farm families in the United States: about 75% have encountered childcare challenges in the past five years. Studies from Ohio State University and the National Farm Medicine Center identify cost, availability, and distance as universal barriers, regardless of the farm’s size or location.

The impact of this childcare crisis extends beyond individual families; it’s a significant concern for the entire food system. Inadequate childcare options can influence farm business decisions, affecting everything from productivity and financial resource allocation to limiting farm investments.

Many farming families, facing a dearth of childcare options, include their children in farm work. However, this comes with risks, as approximately 33 children are injured daily in farm incidents, and exposure to agricultural chemicals poses long-term health risks.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, a Wisconsin farmer stated, “Health care and childcare for farm/ranch families should be a national priority if we want to keep farming as a professional industry in our country.”

In response, the bipartisan Women in Agriculture Act, introduced by Congressmembers Teresa Leger Fernández, Jen Kiggans, Chellie Pingree, and Jennifer González-Colón, aims to address these issues. The Act prioritizes funding for rural childcare facilities and proposes a USDA liaison for women farmers and ranchers, along with research into agricultural machinery designed for women.

Moreover, the American Farm Bureau and the National Farmers Union have, for the first time, included childcare in their policy priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. This development is significant, considering the bill’s influence on U.S. food policy.

Another bipartisan effort, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023, seeks to improve childcare accessibility in rural areas. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, emphasized the need for practical solutions to make childcare more affordable and accessible in these communities.

Grassroots actions are also making a difference. In Indiana, farmer Adam Alson co-founded Appleseed Childhood Education after experiencing childcare challenges himself. This initiative, supported by local philanthropy, rural development grants, and a contribution from a large dairy farm, recently opened its first learning center, potentially serving as a replicable model.

These efforts give hope for meaningful change. To further support these initiatives, it’s crucial for individuals to engage with legislators at all levels and advocate for policies supporting rural childcare.