2023 Farm Bill

As legislators and advocates work together this farm bill year, we are reminded of how important it is to participate in the appropriations process. Where the farm bill directs mandatory program spending, the budget is more certain. But where the farm bill directs discretionary spending, we need to be active in the annual appropriations process to ensure that authorized programs actually receive adequate funding. Without consistent annual appropriations, essential programs are unable to operate effectively or can take a long time to launch, as seen with the Heirs’ Property Relending Program and the Office of Urban Agriculture.