The American Farm Bureau Federation has expressed its support for the USDA's new policy initiative aimed at bolstering small farms and ranches in the United States. Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, acknowledged the significance of this focus by stating, "We thank Secretary Rollins for recognizing the critical role small farmers and ranchers play in America’s food supply chain."
Duvall highlighted that nearly 90% of American farms are classified as small, with most being family-owned. He emphasized the organization's advocacy for these farms' success due to their importance in maintaining the nation's food security.
Despite this, Duvall pointed out challenges faced by small farms, referencing data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture that reported 141,000 farm closures over five years. He noted that more have closed since then, attributing these difficulties to economic hardships.
Duvall expressed optimism about collaborating with Secretary Rollins and the USDA to ensure farm families not only endure but thrive. The Farm Bureau has also submitted a letter to the USDA with policy recommendations to support small producers. These include improvements to USDA farm programs like Title I safety net programs and ad hoc disaster programs, enhanced risk management options, regulatory reforms to reduce compliance burdens, and creating workforce solutions for better access to labor.
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