Today, we begin a month-long effort to highlight the one-year anniversary of the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill, by launching a new multimedia channel packed with compelling stories, stunning photography and even a personal note from Secretary Vilsack to USDA’s friends, partners and staff; “It is because of you that this has been called ‘the most successful Farm Bill implementation.’”
Signed into law on Feb. 7, 2014 by President Obama, the Farm Bill has allowed USDA to continue record accomplishments on behalf of the American people, while providing new opportunities and creating jobs across rural America.
USDA staff and partners have worked diligently over the past year to implement hundreds of provisions of the new law. A sweeping piece of legislation that gained the support of a broad, bipartisan coalition of members of Congress, the 2014 Farm Bill authorizes allows USDA to:
- Create new opportunities for local and regional food systems
- Provide a dependable safety net for America's farmers, ranchers and growers
- Further expand markets for agricultural products at home and abroad,
- Strengthen conservation efforts for fields, forest and waters,
- Maintain important agricultural research,
- Support returning military veterans and new and beginning farmers
- Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all Americans,
- Help reduce the deficit,
- Support community development efforts meant to strengthen rural businesses, home ownership and rural infrastructure, and
- Establish innovative public-private partnerships to help improve quality of life.
Our new multimedia channel—usda.gov/farmbillstories—and Five Faces of the Farm Bill series are meant to capture the real-life experiences of Americans across the country impacted by the Farm Bill. Each week in February, the Five Faces series will introduce a new story shared on the Farm Bill Stories page. Throughout the month, USDA’s digital engagement team will present opportunities to share and interact via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and USDA.gov.
But don’t wait for us! You can also be the face of the Farm Bill by using your social media channels to highlight how these programs have impacted *your* family, business or community. Use the hashtag #MyFarmBill to tell your own story and we’ll share our favorites throughout the month.
Click here to visit the new Farm Bill multimedia channel and learn more.