The National Young Farmers Coalition says the latest Senate farm bill proposal does not go far enough to address challenges facing beginning and young producers.
The coalition said legislation released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman includes some improvements but falls short in several areas, including access to farmland, nutrition assistance and support for local and regional food systems.
Coalition Executive Director Michelle Hughes said technical improvements to federal farm programs alone will not address the larger structural challenges facing the next generation of farmers.
The organization points to continued consolidation of agricultural land as a major obstacle for young and beginning producers. Rising land costs and competition for available acreage can make it difficult for new farmers to establish or expand operations.
The coalition is also raising concerns about reductions in nutrition assistance. It argues that cuts to those programs can affect more than participating households because nutrition programs can also provide markets for farmers who sell food directly to consumers.
Programs connecting nutrition benefits with farmers markets and other local food outlets can provide additional revenue opportunities for small and beginning producers while expanding access to locally produced food.
The coalition is calling on lawmakers to strengthen provisions that improve access to land and capital and support local food systems as negotiations continue.
The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to continue its work on the farm bill this week.