OPINION: Keep federal farm bill flexible, aid locals and the world

Bravo to Sen. Merkley and Sen. Wyden for securing a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support and expand The Meating Place in Hillsboro. They understand that by strengthening our small, local food producers we can increase our access to local food.

The farm bill has been aiding farmers both locally and internationally since 1933. Although it has been working, it’s time to pass a new farm bill, returning the emphasis to local farmers and local needs instead of subsidizing huge farm conglomerates.

Internationally, Catholic Relief Services works to educate the most vulnerable people in the best practices for farming in their communities. Just as in Hillsboro, it is vital to support and encourage local farming internationally. Less than 1% of farm bill allocations support international aid, yet this aid is vital for ensuring that communities can support themselves, allowing families to remain in their native country.

This investment is currently being challenged by the American Farmers Feed the World Act, which would restrict the way that grant money can be used to only allow purchasing of food grown in the U.S. Currently, flexible spending in the farm bill educates farmers and allows them to purchase tools and seeds, increasing community resilience. It also provides emergency food aid.

Send a message to your federal legislators, encouraging them to keep the farm bill flexible, so farmers and aid organizations such as Catholic Relief Services retain the ability to address local concerns in our global communities.