Advocating for Sustainable Agriculture and Nutritious Food for All
Catholic Rural Life is a long-time advocate on behalf of family farmers and farm communities. Our advocacy work for fair and just federal policies on agriculture and nutrition programs–especially the Farm Bill–is highly regarded by family farmers and faith-based groups alike. As a representative of the Church, Catholic Rural Life strives to speak truth to power and join in solidarity with farmers, ranchers and producers whose generosity, graciousness and stewardship of the land serves the common good of all creation.
Through a program called Faith, Food and the Environment, we collaborate with agricultural leaders and encourage them to make the connections between their faith and food production. Through resources like The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader, we call upon farm and food production leaders to be moral agents in the complex and competitive world of modern agriculture.
For Catholic Rural Life members and supporters in general, we provide educational and advocacy resources that help shape public policy and institute ethical agricultural practices. As a catalyst for social change, CRL works “for a new earth where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Next Steps for the Farm Bill
Last week (June 14), the Senate Agriculture Committee voted 20–1 to pass its version of the next farm bill –…
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Agricultural Policy Update
The month of June promises to be an interesting one on a number of policy fronts. Here is a quick…
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House of Representatives to Vote on Farm Bill
This week the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to consider and vote on H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act…
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Update on Farm Bill: Call for Improvements to House Bill
The Farm Bill is a comprehensive legislative package that governs all aspects of the American food and agriculture system: commodity…
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House Ag Committee Releases 2018 Farm Bill Draft
Last week, the House Agriculture Committee passed Chairman Mike Conaway’s (R-TX) draft farm bill along a party line vote. The…
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Part II: Advancing Conservation Programs in the 2018 Farm Bill
[Editor’s note: This is Part II of a two-part posting on conservation programs.] When it comes to federal support for…
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Conservation Programs: Maintaining the Integrity of Creation
Editor’s note: This is Part I of a two-part posting on conservation programs. One of the goals for a “common…
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Farm Safety Net: Crop Insurance Reforms
As outlined the previous blog in this series, the overarching goals for federal agricultural policies that advance opportunities and create…
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Farm Safety Net: Time to Reform Commodity Programs
What should the priorities be in the next Farm Bill? The overarching goals should be to advance opportunities and create…
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The New Federal Budget: Impacts on American Agriculture
After months of negotiations, the House and Senate have finally reached a two-year budget deal to keep the government running….
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