Please print out this letter, sign it, and mail to:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
I write to you on behalf of farmers, consumers, and the future of our nation’s food system. We stand at a critical crossroads—where soil degradation, corporate-driven agriculture, and a lack of transparency in our food supply threaten the health of our land and our people. It is time for decisive action to ensure a resilient, sustainable, and just agricultural system for generations to come.
Support for Small Farms
Small and mid-sized farms are the backbone of American agriculture, yet they face mounting challenges from rising costs, climate pressures, and the increasing dominance of industrial-scale agribusiness. We urge your administration to implement tax incentives and grant programs specifically aimed at supporting small farmers. These incentives should encourage:
- Soil-building practices, such as regenerative agriculture, cover cropping, and compost applications.
- Diversified cropping systems, which promote resilience against pests and climate extremes.
- Local food systems, ensuring that small farmers can supply fresh, nutrient-dense food to their communities.
By investing in small farms, we not only protect rural livelihoods but also bolster food security and enhance the overall health of our agricultural economy.
Regenerating Our Nation’s Farmland
Large-scale commercial farms hold vast tracts of land that have been subjected to years of extractive farming practices, leading to widespread soil degradation and loss of organic matter (OM). We propose that grants and tax incentives be made available to large-scale farms willing to restore their soils by increasing OM% through composting, biochar, cover cropping, and other regenerative methods. Higher organic matter improves water retention, reduces erosion, sequesters carbon, and leads to long-term agricultural sustainability.
Instead of merely subsidizing yield, let us subsidize soil health—because a nation that depletes its land cannot sustain itself.
Promoting Biodiversity with Pollinator & Cover Crops
Biodiversity is the foundation of a resilient and productive agricultural system. We urge the government to provide tax incentives to commercial farmers who plant pollinator-friendly crops and diverse cover crops to:
- Support declining bee and butterfly populations critical for food production.
- Enhance soil fertility and structure while reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
- Create habitat corridors for beneficial insects and wildlife.
Encouraging biodiversity in our farming systems is essential for maintaining ecosystem balance, increasing yields naturally, and future-proofing American agriculture.
Transparency in Food Labeling
Consumers deserve to know what they are eating. Currently, food treated with glyphosate-based herbicides (such as Roundup) or antibiotics is not required to be labeled, leaving the public in the dark about what is in their food. We call for clear, mandatory labeling on food products that have been exposed to these chemicals so that consumers can make informed choices. Transparency empowers individuals to make decisions that align with their health and values, just as we have done with organic and GMO labeling.
Establishing a USDA Branch for Regenerative Agriculture
To effectively implement and oversee these initiatives, we propose the creation of a Regenerative Agriculture Division within the USDA. This dedicated branch would:
- Develop and manage grant programs and tax incentives for farmers practicing regenerative agriculture.
- Establish monitoring and review processes to ensure accountability and effectiveness in soil health improvements.
- Conduct research and provide education on regenerative farming practices to support farmers transitioning away from extractive methods.
This new division would spearhead the movement toward a truly sustainable and resilient agricultural system, ensuring that public funds support practices that restore the land rather than degrade it.
A Call for Action
The policies we are requesting are not radical—they are common-sense solutions that ensure soil health, farmer viability, and consumer choice. If we continue down the path of industrial degradation, we risk losing not just farmland, but the very foundation of our food system.
We ask you, Mr. President, to take a stand for regenerative agriculture, independent farmers, and food transparency. These policies will safeguard our nation’s land, economy, and people for generations to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this pressing issue. We look forward to seeing your leadership on this matter.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizen