New legislation to increase support for farmers, ranchers, and foresters with small-acreage operations across the country through the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act would create a new office within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused on ensuring that smaller operations have better access to the critical federal programs that provide farm loans, conservation funding, crop insurance, and much more.
Emily Liss
Phoebe Silag
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As the Midwest Policy Manager for American Farmland Trust, I work with a wide array of individuals and organizations, all bringing their own priorities and perspectives to the proverbial table. In a policy landscape where time, attention, and funding are limited, finding initiatives that resonate across that diversity can be challenging.
Read on how American Farmland Trust, alongside a growing group of partners, is leading the effort to develop federal policies to address PFAS risk and contamination in agricultural land across the nation.
During the first year of the 2025–2026 California State Legislature, AFT led coalitions to advance California agriculture policy that strengthens climate resilience, expands land access, protects farmland, and secures major investments through Cap-and-Invest, the SALC program, and Proposition 4 climate-smart agriculture funding.
Chelsea Gazillo
While much of the nation’s attention has been rightly focused on the current federal shutdown, we cannot lose sight of the fact that parts of the Farm Bill have expired at a time when agriculture is facing incredible economic challenges and uncertainty.
Samantha Levy
California policy wrap up for the 2025 legislative session.
The AMP redesign and reconciliation bill present a critical opportunity to strengthen conservation programs that support farmers and ranchers in adopting practices proven to enhance soil health, improve water and air quality, and boost farm profitability. AFT’s analysis shows that continued investment in conservation initiatives like cover crops, reduced tillage, and nutrient management yields both environmental and economic benefits, making them essential to long-term agricultural sustainability.
Michelle Perez, PhD
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Since January, AFT has been planting seeds for improved agricultural policy across the Midwest. This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
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Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Indiana, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!
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This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Wisconsin, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!
Chelsea Gazillo is the new Senior California Policy Manager for AFT. She brings solid experience in agricultural policy and land protection.
Teresa O'Connor
California policy wrap up for the 2025 legislative session.
The AMP redesign and reconciliation bill present a critical opportunity to strengthen conservation programs that support farmers and ranchers in adopting practices proven to enhance soil health, improve water and air quality, and boost farm profitability. AFT’s analysis shows that continued investment in conservation initiatives like cover crops, reduced tillage, and nutrient management yields both environmental and economic benefits, making them essential to long-term agricultural sustainability.
Michelle Perez, PhD
Since January, AFT has been planting seeds for improved agricultural policy across the Midwest. This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Indiana, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!
This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Wisconsin, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!
Chelsea Gazillo is the new Senior California Policy Manager for AFT. She brings solid experience in agricultural policy and land protection.
Teresa O'Connor
