9 For '09 Better Policy for Farms, Food, and The Environment
The need has never been greater for this country to address the problems and opportunities facing agriculture. President Obama's Administration has made it clear that energy and environmental policies are a leading priority—indeed “a defining test of our time.” There are significant gains to be realized by engaging agriculture in these timely and critical issues.
American Farmland Trust is ready to provide substantial leadership on issues related to agriculture and the environment. We will continue our work protecting farmland, promoting sound stewardship and ensuring viable farms and ranches are important objectives in any strategy to improve agriculture’s capacity to be part of the solution to the issues that challenge our nation.
Following is a summary of our farm and food policy recommendations:
Reduce the Federal Government’s Role in Farmland Loss
Protect and Promote Farm Bill Regional Food System Programs
Prioritize Agriculture’s Role in Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Support Efforts to Engage Farmers in Improving Water Quality
Properly Implement and Fully Fund the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
Mitigate Against the Loss of Farm and Ranch Land in Transportation Legislation and Create a Green Agricultural Infrastructure
Create a Farmer Corps
Evaluate the Impacts of Farmland Loss on National Food and Energy Security
Support Local Food in School Cafeterias and Access for Low Income Consumers
Want to know more about our farm and food policy recommendations for President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack? Read the full report (pdf).
