FACA Issues MAHA Policy Recommendations

The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) published a new report entitled Nurturing Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities. The report recommends the Make America Healthy Again Commission support policies that reward stewardship and invest in innovation as part of a national strategy to create lasting, healthy outcomes for all communities, rural and urban alike.

The report focuses on three key pillars to help agricultural producers and forest owners keep our soils healthy and our air and water clean:

1. Advancing voluntary conservation
2. Supporting sustainable forest management and restoration
3. Driving agricultural innovation

FACA’s four co-chair members issued the following statements endorsing the recommendations:

“Farmers and ranchers are committed to doing right by the land, and we are at the forefront of adopting new practices, innovation, and technology to ensure our soil is healthy for generations to come. That’s why we are urging lawmakers to ensure we have access to the research and tools we need to keep growing safe, sustainable and nutritious food, fiber, and renewable fuel for our communities, our country and the world,” said Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“Healthy soils are key to a healthy diet for families and a sustainable future for our nation’s farmers,” said Environmental Defense Fund Executive Director Amanda Leland. “Improving soil health and water quality provides us with more nutritious food, preserves rural livelihoods and ensures farmers will be able to pass their operations on for generations to come. EDF is committed to working collaboratively to support our nation’s farmers, ranchers and foresters in their ongoing efforts to improve healthy soils and healthy diets.”

"The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives is happy to see the release of FACA’s Healthy Soils Report. Co-ops have long been leading the way in helping their farmer-owners adopt best practices that protect and promote soil health. This report outlines several recommendations that can strengthen those initiatives in a way that allows farmers to continue to provide nutritious food to millions of Americans,” said Duane Simpson, president and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

"Family farmers and ranchers have long been stewards of the land, committed to practices that protect our soil, water and the overall health of our communities. Through collaboration, we can strengthen policies that reward stewardship and invest in innovation. By providing the right tools and support outlined in this report, we can ensure that farmers continue to lead the way—nurturing healthy soils, growing nutritious food and building resilient communities across the country,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union.

To view the report, click here.

About FACA

FACA represents farmers, ranchers, forest owners, agribusinesses, manufacturers, the food and innovation sector, state governments, higher education associations, sportsmen and sportswomen, and environmental advocates. FACA’s unique and first-of-its-kind alliance brings together a diverse group of organizations committed to pragmatic solutions that enhance both environmental and economic outcomes for U.S. agriculture and forestry and foster the long-term resiliency of our nation’s working lands.