Farm Bill Forum Videos: (Part 2)

On October 15, the day before World Food Day, four organizations (the Interfaith Hunger Coalition, Bread for the World, New Mexico El Paso Interfaith Power & Light, and Save the Children Action Network-New Mexico) brought together a handful of diverse organizations in New Mexico to discuss their vision for the 2023 Farm Bill (which Congress is scheduled to consider next year).  We are publishing videos of their presenations in two parts. Here is Part 2. 

National Latino Farmers and Ranchers: Lawrence Gallegos

 

(Video:  16:14)

Lawrence Gallegos spoke about the importance of conservation and water programs, and why they shoud be expanded in the Farm Bill. He also discussed a lack of access to important programs for indigenous and Latino farmers and ranchers, particularly those with small operations. 

"The conservation programs are really good programs and are helping a lot of ranchers and farmers. But especially in the indigenous communities and Hispanic communities, we haven't have had enough access to these programs  What we need to do is to make these programs more accessible " 

Gallegos also emphasized the need to leverage state money with federal funds available through the Farm Bill, particularly  to help the smaller farmers. He said National Resource Conservation Service and USDA have offered equity agreements to non-profit organizations to help make operations more efficient and profitiable, protect the environment and train producers on how to deal with drought.  "There are two demonstration projects show you especially how to use water more efficiently, which is going to have happen here in New Mexico."

Save the Children Action Network: Lacey Daniell-Miller

(Video: 5:33)

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Lacey and volunteers from New Mexico met with our New Mexico members of Congress in Washington a few weeks ago to advocate for a stronger food assistance program in the 2023 Farm Bill. The Supplemental Nutrrion Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition programs account for the largest share of the funds disbursed under the Farm Bill. The challenges is to ensure that SNAP serves clients in the best way possible, including reducing barriers that prevent access to the program.

"We talked to our federal delegation about strengthening SNAP within the Farm Bill, and all of our delegation was very supportive of that," she said. 

"Studies show SNAP benefits have reduced food insecurity for households with limited resources.  SNAP participation reduces food insecurity by 30 percent, and is even more effiective among children."

Moderator Pam Roy Offers Summary

"Here in New Mexico, one in every five children are considered food insecure. We have to think about that.," she said. "Think about the people down the street, down the road, in our communities..Why should any one child or family or individual be hungry? And isn't it our role as advocates to figure this out? " 

Roy also spoke about the Double Food Bucks program, a program that has been in place for 15 years.  Eligible individuals and families utilize the SNAP program to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, with funding from the federal government leveraged by state funds. The program is now known as GusSNIP. "New Mexico has one of the more successful programs, thanks to the New Mexico Farmers Market Association." The program is also designed to help the local agriculture economy. "Those dollars serve our communities, our farmes and ranchers." 

Questions and Answers

(Video: 5:39)

Sister Joan Brown, osf, executive director of New Mexico El Paso Interfaith Power & Light asked about leveraging funds for environmental, conservation, waterways and wildlife protection programs. "I'm wondering it that's another area to collaborate across organizations' voices and some funding that might already be here at the state level.  

 

Alan Brauer also spoke of the need to balance consumption of natural resources, which he said was a form of collaboration. "Thinking about how we use the precious water that we have...One of the things that we commit to at the Indigenous Farm Hub...we do micro-irrigation where we can.  We use just a pinch of water for vegetables that just need a bit of water every single day," said Alan Brauer 

"The value of using as little water as possible is still inherent in what we do," he pointed out.

 

Group Picture

All of these folks played an important role in the success of our Farm Bill Forum as panelists, speakers, members of  the audience,  program and logistics planners,and representatatives of our host church La Mesa Presbyterian Church (including the all-important Zoom technician). Inicidentally, dozens of people watched and listened to the pogram on Zoom.