AFT Statement on Release of Ranking Member Boozman’s Farm Bill Framework 

AFT appreciates the release of Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Boozman’s framework as an important step in the Farm Bill process. We believe it is critical to get a Farm Bill passed in 2024 to provide farmers with the certainty they need to run viable operations and to ensure greater long-term conservation funding. The framework ultimately shows substantial common ground to build upon as negotiations move forward.  

AFT applauds Ranking Member Boozman for recognizing this once-in-a-generation opportunity to build baseline for conservation with Inflation Reduction Act funding. This would ensure that future Farm Bills can support even more producers in accessing the support they need to protect their land and implement practices that improve the viability and resilience of their operations.  

The framework also answers the call of many stakeholders, including those spearheaded by AFT, by making critical reforms to strengthen the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), especially for farm and ranch land protection. In addition, it would establish a standalone federal matching program for state and Tribal soil health programs that would bring critical additional conservation dollars to the table, spurring even more states and Tribes to take innovative action to help producers improve their soil.  

As the process moves forward, we welcome additional conversations on how the next Farm Bill can best address climate change and meet the needs of all farmers and ranchers – including small and midsized operations. We also look forward to more discussion around how the next Farm Bill can help advance a Smart Solar buildout and provide local and state policymakers with the tools they need to both keep land in farming and strengthen farm viability.  

Ultimately, the only path to a successful Farm Bill is through bipartisan legislation in both chambers. AFT thanks Ranking Member Boozman, Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Scott, and their staff for their sustained efforts to pass a Farm Bill. We are eager to continue working with both parties and both chambers to achieve a bipartisan Farm Bill in 2024 that meets the needs of producers and rural communities and increases conservation funding for generations to come.