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The Farm Bill and its Impact in the World


The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition wrote, “The farm bill is a package of legislation passed roughly once every five years that has a tremendous impact on farming livelihoods, how food is grown, and what kinds of foods are grown. The farm bill sets the stage for our food and farm systems by covering programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for low-income families, from beginning farmer training to support for sustainable farming practices. As a leading advocate for family farmers and sustainable agriculture, we must ensure this important bill is good for farmers, consumers, and the natural environment.”


Below is a 4-minute run down of what a farm bill is and does.


The US compared to other countries chart

Crop

Area Harvested

Equivalent Country

Land Area

Corn

145,000 mi²

🇲🇾 Malaysia

127,000 mi²

Soybean

129,000 mi²

🇫🇮 Finland

117,000 mi²

Hay

83,000 mi²

🇸🇾 Syria

71,000 mi²

Wheat

58,000 mi²

🇳🇵 Nepal

55,000 mi²


As reported by the USDA, 88% of Kansas is farmland, about 45.7 million acres of Kansas’s 52.6 million acres. Kansas is one of the leading agricultural states, specifically in wheat, corn, soybeans, and cattle. About 20% of all wheat grown in the United States is in Kansas, hence one of its nicknames: “The Wheat State.” 


According to the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the USDA Economic Research Service, agriculture contributes $65 billion to the Kansas economy, making up nearly 45% of the state’s total economic output. Agriculture, directly and indirectly, supports over 240,000 jobs in Kansas. 


Kansas exports nationally and internationally $4-5 billion annually. Kansas exports significant amounts of corn, soybeans, and beef to Mexico, a crucial trading partner due to proximity and integrated supply chains under the USMCA. Japan buys lots of high-quality Kansas beef and wheat, while China, historically a major buyer of U.S. soybeans, remains an important market despite trade fluctuations. South Korea also plays a key role as a major importer of Kansas beef and wheat.


International trade agreements benefit Kansas by lowering tariffs and trade barriers, allowing Kansas to compete in global markets. This also means that tariffs, trade disruptions, and global changes in demand can affect Kansas negatively. Since Kansas has a central location transportation is more efficient for agricultural products.


A Long Term Farm Bill would ensure Kansas farmers receive support through market fluctuations and weather issues. Which would help stabilize the agricultural economy affecting everyone globally. The Farm Bill would also help address food insecurity for millions of Americans.


Farm Bills are usually passed every 5 years, the last one being in 2018. Sarah Heeger, the county executive director of the farm service agency in Republic County Kansas told an overview of the latest farm bill and its primary goals, she said, “The last Farm Bill was passed in 2018 and was just extended for an additional year to go through 2024. I anticipate after the presidential election in November that they will extend that farm bill through 2025. Without regard to SNAP benefits, I think the primary goals for the 2018 Farm Bill is conservation, as around $1 billion was earmarked specifically for conservation programs”


Sarah Heeger also said, “The farm bill impacts states like Kansas, that economies are primarily agricultural, in a big way. Farmers and ranchers rely on subsidies through the farm bill to help mitigate natural disasters such as drought, flooding, and wildfires. It also protects producers when prices of commodities fall.”


If Congress doesn’t pass a new farm bill in time, it can lead to disruption in the agriculture industry, which would affect virtually every industry in some way, both locally and globally.

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