American Rescue Plan a Step Towards a Fair, Stable Food System

The U.S. House of Representatives today voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, sending it to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package includes benefits for unemployed workers, stimulus payments up to $1,400 per person, and supplemental funding for nutrition programs, as well as support for vaccine distribution in rural communities, debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers, and resources to build resilience in the food system.

 

When the bill was passed by the U.S. Senate over the weekend, National Farmers Union (NFU) praised it, saying it “provides a lifeline” for struggling Americans and takes “several steps towards more meaningful, enduring improvements” in the food system. Upon the House’s approval today, the organization’s president Rob Larew reiterated his satisfaction with the legislation:

 

Video: This Implement Means Trouble...

Sometimes you have to pull out the tool that nobody wants to use to save the crop. we're hooked up to the rotary hoe because the ground has crusted over hard, and our corn is struggling to emerge. It's a bumpy, dusty job, but getting that top layer broken up is the only way to give this corn a fighting chance! Once the rescue mission is complete, we're shifting gears. We hit the fields for some spraying, find some dry dirt to work and finally get the planter rolling. It’s been over 2 weeks since a seed has been put into the ground… it sure feels good to be back!!