NYFC is excited to share a bipartisan letter in support of programs young and socially disadvantaged farmers rely on in the 2018 Farm Bill. The letter, led by Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Sanford Bishop’s (D-GA), was delivered to House Agriculture Committee leadership, with support from 53 Members of Congress. In the letter, the Members requests the creation of the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach (FOTO) program in the 2018 Farm Bill.
FOTO combines and strengthens the most successful components of the existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers Program (also known as 2501). If included in the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill, FOTO will address the critical issues and barriers to entry that beginning farmers, veteran farmers, and farmers of color face in agriculture, including accessing land, managing financial risk, and gaining technical skills.
NYFC’s policy team was instrumental in recruiting additional Members to sign on, and could not have done so successfully without the support of NYFC’s young farmers, members, and supporters, who spent weeks contacting their Representatives in support of FOTO.
The 2018 Farm Bill is now in the conference stage, and it’s not too late to add your name to list of supporters, and to advocate for the important programs young farmers depend on. Text “FARM” to 40649 to take action.
