Senator Baldwin champions new Senate Farm Bill for Wisconsin

By Blake Jackson

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) emphasized the critical benefits she secured for Wisconsin’s farmers, families, and rural communities in the Senate Farm Bill and urged Congress to pass it before year-end.

The Farm Bill, also known as the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, spearheaded by Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, includes bipartisan measures led by Senator Baldwin.

These provisions aim to expand opportunities for dairy operations, provide mental health support for farmers, safeguard agricultural land from foreign ownership, and improve the quality of life in rural areas.

“Wisconsin farmers, rural communities, and families deserve a Farm Bill that helps them take on their challenges, grow their businesses, and support our rural economies. We cannot kick this can down the road further and the time for Democrats and Republicans to come together and deliver for our hardworking farmers is now,” said Senator Baldwin. “I fought hard to include programs that I know will benefit America’s Dairyland in the farm bill from helping dairy businesses innovate to ensuring our rural communities have access to clean water.”

Renewed every five years, the Farm Bill encompasses updates to risk management programs and introduces new initiatives tailored to farmers' and rural communities’ needs.

The most recent 2018 Farm Bill was reauthorized in September 2023 and extended through December 20, 2024.

While lawmakers debate further extending the 2018 legislation, Baldwin is advocating for the new Farm Bill’s passage.

This legislation incorporates over 100 bipartisan measures to strengthen rural communities, stabilize farmers, and maintain nutrition assistance for families facing food insecurity.

Key provisions Baldwin championed include:

• Supporting Dairy Innovation: Her Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2023 boosts annual funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives program from $20 million to $36 million and enhances the Dairy Margin Coverage safety net to protect farmers from fluctuating milk prices and high feed costs.
• Improving Water Safety: The Healthy H2O Act allocates $10 million through 2029 for rural drinking water testing and treatment.
• Safeguarding Farmland: The Farmland Security Act of 2023 strengthens USDA oversight of foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land.
• Expanding Mental Health Resources: The Farmers First Act of 2023 extends and increases funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to $15 million annually through 2029.
• Advancing Agricultural Research: The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act promotes the development of drought-resistant seed varieties and adaptable animal breeds.