The omnibus legislation known as the Farm Bill, passed every five years to set nutrition and agriculture policies, is controversial among those advocating for a healthier food system. They say (correctly) that it props up so-called “commodity crops” — large-scale crops such as wheat, corn and soy beans not usually intended to feed people directly and often used in unhealthy ways such as making the high fructose corn syrup used in highly processed foods. They lead to so-called “monocropping” where a single crop is grown year after year on the same large swath of land to the detriment of the environment.
Meanwhile, farmers who grow “specialty crops” — the vegetables, fruits and herbs you see at farmers markets — are at a competitive disadvantage to these late, industrial-model farms.
That’s why last week, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio’s 9th district, cheered the announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made more than $90 million available in competitive grants to strengthen local and regional food systems, develop new market opportunities for producers and support farmers growing specialty crops including tree nuts and flowers. It’s good news for the district which runs from Toledo to the western edge of Cleveland, territory than includes rich farming country.
“This is welcome news, as these opportunities for funding can help efforts to encourage healthy eating and support local food production,” said Rep. Kaptur. “Northern Ohio produces ample amounts of fresh, healthy, delicious food. These federal initiatives will help strengthen the connection between the food we grow and the way our community feeds itself. That also means getting food that lasts longer on our shelves and in our refrigerators, and using less fuel to ship that food.”
Hopefully some of that money will be coming to northern Ohio. Kaptur urges interested applicants to apply directly through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which administers Ohio’s competitive grant process: Ohio Department of Agriculture, ATTN: Lori Panda, Senior Program Manager at 614-466-8798 or email Panda@agri.ohio.gov. A summary of Specialty Crop efforts is available at ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp.