Washington, DC, August 27, 2020 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and farmers and ranchers from across the country delivered a letter to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis (Select Committee), urging Congress to support and invest in farming and rural communities to address the climate crisis. The letter stresses the fundamental threat that the climate crisis poses to the viability of agriculture and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers. NSAC organized a Zoom call with Members of the Select Committee and several farmers who signed the letter so they could share their perspectives on how climate change has impacted their operations and livelihoods. Farmers highlighted how Congress can increase support for them to implement climate stewardship practices and build resilience to climate stresses.

“Farmers and ranchers across the country are struggling with climate impacts — fires and drought in California, floods and derechos in the midwest, and hurricanes in the east,” noted Steve Sprinkle at Rancho Del Pueblo, a certified organic farm in Ojai, Ventura County. “We need Congress to act so we have the resources to adapt, keep producing food, and to do our part in curbing climate change.”

In receiving this letter, Representative Castor (D-FL), Chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, remarked: “America’s farmers and ranchers are being impacted by extreme heat and flooding caused by climate change, and they are uniquely positioned to help us develop solutions to solve the climate crisis. The USDA and policymakers can be better partners with farmers to help enact lasting climate solutions to boost our economy, protect our families, and leave a sustainable country for future generations. Farmers across the nation are already stepping up to the challenge. Now Congress must work with them to expand the use of clean energy and create a stronger, healthier, more resilient America.”

Representative Brownley (D-CA), member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, also attended the call. She has introduced many climate-focused bills on renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, and establishing composting as a conservation practice for which farmers can receive incentives, all of which have been included in the Select Committee’s report.“American farmers, growers, and livestock producers know from first-hand, on-the-ground experience that our climate is changing, and they understand that the federal government must take these threats to our water and food supply seriously,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “That is why the agricultural industry has been so engaged with the Select Committee in developing our report. Protecting the agriculture sector of our economy, and protecting American’s access to an affordable and reliable food supply, is key to addressing the threats posed by the climate crisis. I am thankful for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s leadership and assistance in building a diverse and effective coalition for national action on climate change.”

The California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), an NSAC member, led the development of the letter in partnership with NSAC members and farmer-leaders. Independent farmers and ranchers in 49 states signed the letter – representing farm families producing fruits and vegetables, dairy, livestock, row crops, and more.

Upon delivering the letter, Jeanne Merrill, Policy Director at CalCAN, commented “The coronavirus pandemic has taught us that we must work now with the country’s farmers and ranchers to develop resilient food and farming systems. The letter we are delivering today is a clarion call to the country – act now on the climate crisis before it is too late – and embrace the solutions farmers have to offer. Farmers are ready to deliver what’s necessary to produce renewable energy, store carbon in soils and enhance biodiversity – so that we may have a healthy environment for all.”

Any climate legislation package will be incomplete if it doesn’t recognize and include farmers and ranchers as vital partners in our efforts to combat climate change.

“Farmers and ranchers work at the frontlines of the climate crisis, where they face extreme weather and shifting pressures from pests and disease driven by a changing climate,” said Eric Deeble, Policy Director at NSAC. “They are committed to be a part of the solution to the climate crisis, and this letter outlines how Congress can ensure that they have the tools and resources to be active leaders in climate change adaptation and mitigation and be true stewards of the land. Many of these solutions were included in the Select Committee’s report, which establishes an ambitious and achievable roadmap for legislators to develop climate legislation.”

As Congress considers comprehensive climate legislation in the future, NSAC urges legislators to include agricultural policy that places farmers and ranchers at the center and supports them directly in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Both the Select Committee’s report and the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME), showcase farmer-focused climate policy solutions that should be included in any future comprehensive climate bill.