Congress continues to work toward the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, the most impactful piece of legislation related to agriculture and food. Local leaders have an opportunity to advocate for the programs they leverage in their communities and consider new ways to partner with community groups to start or expand initiatives that could be supported by Farm Bill programs.
There are 12 titles in the Farm Bill with programs and policies to help support rural development and economic growth, invest in local infrastructure, increase conservation efforts and environmental protection measures, ensure low-income individuals have access to nutritious food and resources and more.
Local governments wishing to start or grow their own local program in nutrition, food access, agriculture workforce, horticulture, conservation or sustainability practices and other Farm Bill supported categories may be able to partner with other community groups or local organizations to kickstart these efforts. Local leaders should also look to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to see if they are eligible for any relevant program funding or technical assistance support. Partnering with local community groups, nonprofits, or other interested parties can elevate these programs through funding, capacity, outreach and contributing to the goals of a community, and can have a quicker and greater impact on the impact of the local program.
Below are some examples of partnerships and projects that your community may be inspired to recreate in the Farm Bill space.
Source: nlc.org
Categories: Ohio, Education