The Farm Bill: Principles and Priorities

"Freedom from the yoke of hunger is the first concrete manifestation of that right to life which, although solemnly proclaimed, often remains far from being effectively implemented."
-- Pope Benedict XVI, World Food Day 2011

WHAT'S NEW?

TAKE ACTION NOW! Urge your Senators to support a Farm Bill that feeds hungry people, promotes stewardship of creation, supports small family farmers, and helps rural America thrive.

Joint Letter to Senate Agriculture Committee on the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis
May 9, 2013

Joint Letter to House Agriculture Committee on the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis
May 9, 2013

House Committee on Agriculture Advances Farm Bill
July 12, 2012

Joint Letter to House Agriculture Committee on the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis
July 10, 2012

Current Advocacy Position

The U.S. Bishops declared that "the primary goals of agricultural policies should be providing food for all people and reducing poverty among farmers and farmworkers in this country and abroad." (For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers and Farmworkers).

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC), Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have worked closely to support policies in the Farm Bill that support rural communities and family farms; strengthen and expand domestic anti-hunger programs; promote conservation and good stewardship of the land; ensure safe living and working conditions for farmworkers; promote fairness for farmers in developing countries; and provide food security aid efficiently and effectively to hungry people worldwide.

Legislative Documents, Letters, and Statements

Farm Bill Testimony Submitted for the House Committee on Agriculture's Record
USCCB, CRS, NCRLC
May 17, 2012
Letter to House Committee on Agriculture on the 2012 Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop Richard E. Pates,
Rev. Larry Snyder , Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, Mr. James F. Ennis
April 26, 2012
Letter to House Committee on Agriculture Concerning Cuts to Food Stamps
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire
April 16, 2012
Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill: Testimony Submitted
for the Record to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
USCCB, CRS, NCRLC
March 14, 2012
Joint Letter to Senate on the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop Richard E. Pates,
Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, Mr. James F. Ennis
March 6, 2012

Primers, Backgrounders, and Educational Materials