GUEST EDITORIAL: Farm Bills benefit more people than farmers
SPOKANE - Among many other pieces of legislation, Congress is debating the Farm Bill. Most of us don't farm but most of us should care about this legislation that comes before Congress every five years or so. Why should we care? Because we all eat. Because agriculture is responsible for one out of every 12 jobs in America. Because agriculture contributes positively to America's trade balance and is a major part of Washington's exports. Because about 35 percent of Washington state is agricultural land and its management affects water and air quality for everyone. Because a large part of America and Washington is rural.
Farm bills date back to the early part of the 20th century when food supply and price swings were volatile, when erosion caused major dust storms and loss of soil productivity, when rural communities lacked resources for vital infrastructure. Congress responded with legislation to stabilize the food supply and prices, encourage conservation and invest in rural America. Every five years since, Congress has added programs or tweaked programs to find the right mix of government support to encourage the private agricultural sector while providing a safety net.
This year as Congress deliberates farm bill legislation in a budget-cutting atmosphere, it is more important than ever to focus on the three core principles that have shaped the success of American agriculture: maintaining a strong safety net, supporting sustainable productivity and promoting vibrant markets. There will be substantially less funding than in the past, so Congress must simplify programs and create innovative solutions while still making targeted investments to keep agriculture productive and rural communities vibrant.
The farm economy is strong, but that's not by accident. Decades of policies and investments have built an agricultural sector that leads the world. Those investments need to continue, but the financial safety net needs to be simplified to provide relief quickly and equitably. It must reflect the needs of America's diverse agriculture. Investments in research and conservation must continue to sustain the nation's agricultural productivity. That investment will enable us to feed ourselves in the future. Market promotion at home and abroad is also necessary for a strong farm economy. Washington is the third largest exporting state of food or agricultural products in the United States. It is also a leader in the local food movement.
Farmers are not the only ones who need a safety net. The Farm Bill also includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps 44 million Americans put food on the table. SNAP is a bridge to self-sufficiency for working families - more than half of SNAP beneficiaries are children of working families and the elderly.
Farm Bill legislation must address the needs of rural America, too. We take for granted rural phone lines and electricity, subsidized by earlier legislation. Current programs assist rural communities with infrastructure such as broadband and renewable energy. This is infrastructure necessary for the development of private sector jobs in rural communities.
Agricultural jobs may start with production in rural communities but the jobs extend to urban communities. From cities, agricultural products are processed, packaged and transported to destination all over the world. Farmers and ranchers also create demand for equipment and other inputs manufactured in urban America.
This Farm Bill should help move Washington and our nation forward, creating jobs, providing a safety net for millions of Americans, supporting rural communities and building on the incredible success of America's productive agriculture. This is a Farm Bill we should all care about.