As the Feb. 7 one-year anniversary of the 2014 farm bill approaches, the USDA said on Monday that it would begin a month-long multimedia project celebrating the “real-life experiences of Americans across the country impacted by the farm bill.”
The project will be hosted on a special website, usda.gov/farmbillstories. There, the agency will showcase a new face of the farm bill every week in February, and interested stakeholders will have opportunities to share and interact with USDA on USDA.gov and social media sites.
The agency also encourages farmers to tell their own farm bill stories with the hashtag #myfarmbill.
Since its signing last year, USDA staff has worked to put provisions of the legislation in place, including those focused on:
- opportunities for local and regional food systems.
- a safety net for America’s farmers, ranchers and growers.
- expanding markets for agricultural products at home and abroad.
- maintaining ag research.
- supporting community development to strengthen rural businesses.
- establishing public-private partnerships.
On the new farm bill website, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack shares a personal note to celebrate the anniversary.
“Despite its name, the farm bill is also a food bill , a jobs bill, a research bill, a conservation and stewardship bill, a trade bill and so much more,” he wrote. “I am proud of what we've been able to do together to grow opportunity all across America and know that these results will only continue as we begin Year 2.”
The new site includes videos showcasing the work of the farm bill. See below for one selection.
Source: Farm Futures