"It is a truly pressing duty to use the earth's resources in such a way that all may be free from hunger." -- Pope Francis, World Day of Peace, January 1, 2014
The Farm Bill: Principles and Priorities
The Farm Bill: Principles and Priorities
Current Advocacy Position
The U.S. Bishops declared that "the primary goals of agricultural policies should be providing food for all people and reducing poverty among farmers and farmworkers in this country and abroad." (For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers and Farmworkers).
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC), Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have worked closely to support policies in the Farm Bill that support rural communities and family farms; strengthen and expand domestic anti-hunger programs; promote conservation and good stewardship of the land; ensure safe living and working conditions for farmworkers; promote fairness for farmers in developing countries; and provide food security aid efficiently and effectively to hungry people worldwide.
Primers, Backgrounders, and Educational Materials
Farm Bill Backgrounder
February 2013
Farm Bill Backgrounder
February 2012
Food Security and the Farm Bill
Background Information
Backgrounder on Farm Bill
February 2013
Backgrounder on Farm Bill
February 2012
For I Was Hungry & You Gave Me Food: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers
November 2003
2023
Letter to Congress on RESTORE Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Mr. Ralph Middlecamp, Sr. Donna Markham, and Ms. Karen Clifton, June 9, 2023
Letter to Congress Regarding the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop David J. Malloy, May 16, 2023
Letter to Congress Regarding 2023 Farm Bill
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop David J. Malloy, Mr. Sean Callahan, Sr. Donna Markham, Mr. James Ennis, and Mr. Ralph Middlecamp, April 24, 2023
2018
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Praising Bipartisan, Compromise Farm Bill and Farm Bill Conference Committee Report
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Mr. Sean Callahan, Sr. Donna Markham, Mr. James Ennis, Mr Ralph Middlecamp
December 12, 2018
Letter to U.S. Senate on Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Mr. Sean Callahan, Sr. Donna Markham, Mr. James Ennis, Mr Ralph Middlecamp
June 28, 2018
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Sent in Response to Chairman's Mark of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Mr. Sean Callahan, Sr. Donna Markham, Mr. James Ennis, Mr Ralph Middlecamp
April 18, 2018
Letter to Congress Regarding 2018 Farm Bill
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Mr. Sean Callahan, Sr. Donna Markham, Mr. James Ennis, Mr Ralph Middlecamp
February 5, 2018
2013-2014
USCCB and National Catholic Partners Respond to Farm Bill Conference Committee Bill
January 29, 2014
Letter to U.S. Senate on FY 2013 Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop Richard E. Pates, Fr. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis, and Ms. Sheila Gilbert, November 1, 2013
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives on FY 2013 Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop Richard E. Pates, Fr. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis, and Ms. Sheila Gilbert, November 1, 2013
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Urging Opposition to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Cuts
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, September 11, 2013
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Urging Protection of Food Stamps
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, July 10, 2013
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives on the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis, and Ms. Sheila Gilbert, June 17, 2013
Letter to U.S. Senate Regarding the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis, May 9, 2013
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Regarding the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis, May 9, 2013
2012
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Regarding Proposed Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act and the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen Blaire, Bishop Richard Pates, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Mr. James Ennis, July 10, 2012
Testimony for the Record Submitted to U.S. House of Representatives: Formulation of 2012 Farm Bill-Commodity Programs and Crop Insurance
USCCB, Catholic Relief Services, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, May 17, 2012
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture Concerning Cuts to Food Stamps
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, April 16, 2012
Testimony for the Record Submitted to U.S. Senate: Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill
USCCB, Catholic Relief Services, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, March 14, 2012
Letter to U.S. Senate on the Farm Bill
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop Richard E. Pates, Rev. Larry Snyder, Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, Mr. James F. Ennis, March 6, 2012
Prior to 2012
Letter to U.S. Senate on Child Nutrition and WIC Re-authorization Act
Bishop William F. Murphy, Most Rev. Thomas J. Curry, Rev. Larry Snyder, Sr. Dale McDonald, James Ennis, May 11, 2009
Letter to Congress on Reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Mr. Jim Ennis, Mr. Ken Hackett, May 12, 2008
Letter to Congress Regarding FY 2008 Farm Bill
Bishop William Murphy, Bishop Thomas Wenski, Rev. Larry Snyder, Timothy Kautza, Ken Hackett, February 21, 2008
Letter to U.S. Senate on FY 2007 Farm Bill
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Rev. Larry Snyder, Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore, Ken Hackett, November 6, 2007
Letter to U.S. Senate on FY 2007 Farm Bill
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Rev. Larry Snyder, Timothy J. Kautza, Ken Hackett, October 4, 2007
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Regarding the Farm Bill
Bishop Thomas Wenski, July 26, 2007
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Regarding Farm Subsidies
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Rev. Larry Snyder, Timothy Kautza, Ken Hackett, June 15, 2007
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Regarding Nutrition Programs
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Rev. Larry Snyder, Timothy Kautza, Ken Hackett, June 14, 2007
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives on Farm Bill
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Rev. Larry Snyder, Br. David Andrews, Ken Hackett, June 6, 2007
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives on Conservation Initiatives in the Farm Bill
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Rev. Larry Snyder, Br. David Andrews, Ken Hackett, May 23, 2007
Statement on the Farm Bill
Religious Working Group, January 19, 2007