A coalition of more than 125 organizations, including American Farmland Trust and representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, energy, hunger, and rural stakeholders, sent a letter to Senate leadership on May 7 urging them to quickly bring to the Senate floor the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, which recently passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

This is one piece of legislation upon which all Americans depend, urban as well as rural. With limited time remaining before expiration of current program authorities, time is of the essence. While each of our respective organizations will continue to work to accomplish our key priorities, the farm bill must move forward. We urge your leadership in allowing the Senate to consider this legislation as soon as possible.

Download the complete letter.

On April 26, American Farmland Trust  President Jon Scholl appeared in front of the  U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry to testify on Formulation of the 2012 Farm Bill: Conservation Programs. In describing farm bill conservation programs, Scholl explains:

“These programs are critically important tools for meeting conservation challenges. Our farmers and ranchers face great pressure to produce food, fiber and fuel while maintaining healthy soils, protecting water quality and providing wildlife habitat. Rapidly rising world food demand creates incredible economic opportunity for agriculture, but also makes it even more imperative for us to address the conservation challenges we face here at home.”

PRESS RELEASE

Washington, D.C., April 23, 2012— American Farmland Trust (AFT) welcomed the 2012 farm bill draft unveiled late last week by the Senate Agriculture Committee. AFT President Jon Scholl commended Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Senator Pat Roberts ofKansas, the committee’s Ranking Minority Member, for their efforts to move the farm bill forward.

PRESS RELEASE

Washington, D.C.—American Farmland Trust (AFT) urged Congress to consider the environmental impacts of farm safety-net reform and reiterated key AFT policy positions in support of a strong and equitable farm support system.  The group’s comments came in response to the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, “Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill.” The hearing underscored the consensus that crop insurance is positioned to become the primary risk management tool for farmers, while reform of other farm programs is still evolving.

PRESS RELEASE

Washington, D.C.—“I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s support of conservation incentives, but I believe that he has created a false choice between incentive-driven conservation and conservation compliance,” said Jon Scholl, President of American Farmland Trust (AFT).  “Conservation compliance is nothing more than an incentive for farmers with highly sensitive lands to follow a few basic conservation practices. When I talk to farmers, they recognize that conservation compliance is crucial for the long-term health of our soil.”