Coalition urges Congress to act on sustainable farming 

HARLINGEN, Texas – Congress should continue helping small farmers throughout the United States so their future is not threatened by climate change, a coalition of organic producers, ranchers and farmers said.

The group met Wednesday, May 29, in Harlingen to issue a call to elected officials from Austin to Washington D.C. to retain the money allocated to this sector of the economy under the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022.

As much as $19.5 billion was assigned to help small farmers and although the money is there, having access to it is a different issue.

Lindsey Gonzales, deputy director with the Farm and Ranch Alliance Freedom, said they are trying to get Congress retain the money allocated under IRA.

She said the money should go to fund climate smart agriculture, not diverted elsewhere.

Gonzales said climate smart agriculture is a method used to protect agri-land and its resources.

“These programs are instrumental for starting small farm operations,” she said. “We are talking about $19.5 billion allocated under IRA.”

Diana Padilla, founder and executive director for HOPE, a small farm off Rangerville Road in Harlingen, said the Rio Grande Valley is going through an extreme drought.

“We need to take care of our soil so the moisture is there,” she said. “We need to collect water.”

Gonzales said their ability to grow food depends from a few inches of soil and water.

“We call up Congress to act,” she said, “particularly as they get ready to discuss the new farm bill.”

Frank Morales, a commissioner with the City of Harlingen, said funding for farmers is extremely important.

“A global issue starts with a local issue. We have a drought issue that is going to get worse,” he said. ‘What we are asking is simple, keep funding our small farmers.”

Leigh Jenkins, a staffer with HOPE, said increased funding for practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, prescribed grazing, woody planting and nutrient management are essential components for sustainable farming.

‘By empowering farmers, ranchers and landowners with technical assistance and funding,” she said, “we are ensuring agricultural heritage for future generations.”

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