The White House warned lawmakers against cutting SNAP in the new farm bill on Monday and said they should embrace climate-smart agriculture and other practices that would boost farmer income across the board, rather than pamper big operators. Farm bill leaders have been deadlocked for months over crop subsidies, SNAP, and climate funds.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the National Farmers Union convention in Phoenix that if the standstill continues, “some people [will] think, well, an extension of the existing farm bill is better than a bad bill.” The new farm bill is four months overdue and Congress already extended the life of the 2018 farm law once, to Sept. 30, because of the deadlock.
“The farm bill presents a unique opportunity to transform the food and agricultural system from one that benefits a few to one that benefits many — all while strengthening USDA’s nutrition programs, which among the most effective and far-reaching tools available to improve the health and well-being of Americans,” said the White House in a summary of its proposed USDA budget for fiscal year 2025.
“The nation can achieve meaningful, equitable growth in agriculture and rural economies by creating new revenue streams for American farmers, ranchers, and producers of all sizes through climate-smart agriculture and forestry, biobased products, renewable energy, local and regional food systems, increased competition in agricultural markets, and other value-added opportunities,” said the White House.
Vilsack makes the same argument frequently, noting that the lion’s share of farm income, including federal payments, go to 150,000-200,000 big farmers. There are 2 million farms.
“This is an important moment to protect food assistance benefits that reflect the true cost of a basic, healthy diet, strengthen cross-enrollment capabilities across federal assistance programs, and eliminate barriers to food assistance for vulnerable groups,” said the White House.
Under the administration’s proposal, the Women, Infants, and Children program would receive $7.7 billion in the fiscal year that opens on Oct. 1, up from $7.03 billion for this year. “By investing in outreach and modernization, WIC would reach 800,000 more women, infants, and children each month, providing vital nutrition assistance to nearly 7 million individuals,” said a White House fact sheet.
The White House proposed $112 million for USDA’s ReConnect program to expand rural access to high-speed internet service. Some $15 billion was proposed over the next decade so that participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools in low-income areas to serve lunch for free to all pupils, could grow to reach 9 million students.
Also proposed were $1 billion in loan guarantees to install renewable energy equipment on farms and small businesses; $6.5 billion for rural electric loans for clean energy, energy storage, and transmission projects; and $6 billion for climate resilience and other conservation practices.
In addition, the White House said it supported permanent authorization of a cover crop incentive that is offered through federal crop insurance program. It provides a premium support of $5 an acre to farmers who plant cover crops.
The administration also proposed funding to “support the duties of a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, who would promote the safe and responsible application of artificial intelligence in advancing the productivity of the nation’s agriculture sector.” The job would be part of USDA’s research arm.