Farm Bill
CONTENTS
WHAT IS THE FARM BILL?
The Farm Bill is Congress' main tool for helping those who put food on our tables, serve our rural communities, and strengthen our nation’s agriculture industry. The first Farm Bill passed in 1933 in direct response to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. The bill was designed to bolster our food supply, protect natural resources, and keep food prices down. It is typically renewed every five years.
While the Farm Bill has changed a lot in nearly 100 years, its objectives remain largely the same. From crop insurance to international trade, members of the House Agriculture Committee have a big role in shaping policy that impacts farmers with the drafting of the Farm Bill.
OUR STATE
Illinois supports the world with corn, soybeans, swine, and so much more. In fact, Illinois counties grow more corn and soybeans than anywhere else. The 17th District borders the Mississippi River, which brings goods to market and sustains rural economies. Our district also houses agriculture technology pioneers like John Deere in Moline.
Although our state has always been an agriculture industry leader, farming today comes with new challenges. Due to extreme weather, rising input costs, and more, it's more difficult to farm on the same land today that families have farmed on for generations. That's why this year's Farm Bill is so important.
MY GOALS
Congressman Sorensen's Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill
1. Strengthening Crop Insurance
As a former meteorologist, I know that growers are getting hit with more extreme weather year after year. Floods, tornadoes, and droughts mean that farming today is more difficult than it ever has been, even on the same land families have had for generations. The current safety net doesn’t address the levels of risk posed to crops, especially as severe weather events increase in frequency.
That’s why I’ll work to protect and expand crop insurance in the upcoming Farm Bill, making sure our rural communities are more adequately protected from the challenges posed by changing weather, ensuring crop loss is compensated for.
2. Funding Advanced Agriculture Research and Innovation
Our district is home to major agriculture industry manufacturers and universities that lead in agriculture research. We know how important it is for farmers to be on the cutting edge. Despite this, public funding for agriculture research has declined in recent decades, allowing other countries to surpass the United States. Advanced research and innovation are necessary to meet the evolving needs of today’s farmers.
Prioritizing research and innovation in the 2023 Farm Bill will ensure the United States stays competitive and is prepared to continue providing food for our nation and the world for generations to come.
3. Incentivizing Sustainable Farming Practices
Farmers in Illinois know what the scientists know: the weather is different than it was 20 years ago, and it’s changing year after year. To ensure land today is protected and ready for the next generation of growers and producers, we have a lot of work to do.
That means promoting soil health, improving water quality, and reducing excess fertilizer runoff. With new challenges, such as Illinois waterways carrying chemicals downstream, conservation efforts are necessary to make sure Illinois remains an agricultural leader.
4. Protecting Food Security
The 2023 Farm Bill oversees policy related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. One in ten Illinois workers rely on this program to keep food on the table. As families struggle with inflation and high costs, we shouldn't be making it harder to bring groceries home.
I’ll continue to work across the aisle as we craft the 2023 Farm Bill so that the nutrition needs of children and families aren’t on the chopping block.
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