Utah Farm Bureau lists its priorities for 2023 as legislative session begins

Upon returning from the national agricultural convention for the American Farm Bureau Federation and to mark the start of the 2023 Utah general legislative session, the Utah Farm Bureau has released its list of “Issues to Watch For in 2023.”

According to Ron Gibson, a dairy farmer from Weber County and president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the list, though not exhaustive in scope, is based on the Farm Bureau’s policy book, adopted at its convention in November and the recent national convention held earlier this month. The policy book will guide the general farm and ranch organization’s public policy actions throughout the upcoming year, including the current legislative session.

“It is important to note the policies advocated and defended by the Utah Farm Bureau come from the grassroots level, from actual farmers and ranchers on the ground and in the trenches, not simply from the ideas of one leader or board,” said Gibson. “These policies are developed through debate and deliberation in response to issues felt on the farms of the smallest towns as well as in the families of the largest cities in Utah.”

Included in priorities of state concern for the organization are:

1. Water Issues. It’s no surprise that water issues will take center stage at this year’s Legislature and are of supreme concern for the Utah Farm Bureau. Coming off one of the busiest years for water legislation last year, Farm Bureau will be focused on myriad bills again this year. Farm Bureau supports Ag Water Optimization grants and Gov. Cox’s request for $200 million in funding for the grants.

Additional efforts will focus on the Great Salt Lake, assisting canal companies in their critical role of water delivery, and clarifying emergency water use rules.

2. Industry Safeguards. Utah Farm Bureau will focus on several legislative efforts aimed at safeguarding threats to the industry. Chief among them will be supporting the funding of the LeRay McAllister Fund used to fund agricultural land preservation.

Another funding request supported by the Utah Farm Bureau is the Agriculture & Rural Small Business Innovation and Sustainability initiative put forward by Utah State University. The initiative is designed to help create opportunities for local producers, processors and consumers by supporting the development of innovative food processing and distribution systems close to where agriculture production takes place, expanding the capacities of rural Utah, and bringing more Utah-grown and raised foods to local consumers.

Utah Farm Bureau also supports legislative efforts at strengthening private property rights and defending against livestock theft, as well as making the process more functional for ranchers to reclaim losses for livestock killed in railroad incidents.

3. Continued Assistance for Veterinary School at Utah State University. Utah Farm Bureau urges additional funding support for the upcoming USU Veterinary school, increasing the initial investment the Legislature made last year.

National issues discussed at the national convention ranged from expanding risk management programs and improving dairy pricing transparency to battling hunger, Gibson said. He said farmers and ranchers from around the country support modernizing the farm bill by expanding baseline funding, developing more flexible disaster relief programs and extending protection to more specialty crops. They also support more transparency in the federal milk pricing system. Changes to national policy include support for more USDA audits of processing costs to ensure data remains accurate, and a Federal Milk Marketing Orders voting procedure that requires cooperatives to communicate more clearly with members regarding proposed changes.

Recognizing growing food insecurity in the United States, Farm Bureau members recently approved new policy to support access to nutrition programs, including connecting farms directly with food banks, increasing the number of SNAP-approved food sales outlets and other efforts to make produce available to families living in food deserts.

Concerning trade, Farm Bureau encourages USDA to continue working with the Mexican government to drop a proposed ban on imports of biotech corn. The new policy also encourages USDA to urge the Mexican government to accept established science on the safety of U.S. biotech products.