AFT Applauds Passage of New House Relief Bill

 

American Farmland Trust applauds the passage of a new COVID relief bill by the House of Representatives today. This legislation comes at a time when many Americans, including farmers and ranchers, continue to struggle in the face of the ongoing pandemic. The funding provided to USDA through this legislation will not only serve as vital relief, it will help lay the groundwork for a more resilient food system.  

 

AFT is especially pleased with the historic and unprecedented support provided for socially disadvantaged farmers within the legislation. USDA’s history of discrimination is well–documented and inclusion of loan forgiveness marks a key step in addressing a historic wrong. We especially appreciate that the legislation includes funding for the additional tools these farmers need for success, including legal services to work through heirs’ property issues, financial training, and other technical assistance. The legislation also recognizes opportunities to further diversify agriculture, providing pilot projects for land access as well as support for research and scholarships that will produce the next generation of agricultural innovators. 

 

As an organization, we have called for additional federal support for state and local governments. With offices across the nation, we have seen firsthand how state and local budget shortfalls are threatening to eliminate or reduce critical agricultural programs such as Farmlinks, purchase of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs, and support for conservation practices that sequester carbon and improve water quality.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.