Shoffner says system ‘rigged’, new agriculture approach needed – Talk Business & Politics

Report on Agricultural Policy Reform Proposal by U.S. Senate Candidate Hallie Shoffner

U.S. Senate candidate and sixth-generation farmer Hallie Shoffner has outlined a need for a comprehensive overhaul of national agricultural policy. The proposal critiques the current framework and advocates for a new approach centered on domestic food production, local market creation, and alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Analysis of Current Agricultural Challenges and Economic Impact

The candidate identifies a severe crisis within the American farming sector, citing personal operational shutdowns as indicative of a systemic failure. This crisis threatens the livelihoods of agricultural workers and the economic stability of rural communities, running counter to the principles of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Key Issues Identified:

• Economic Precarity: A projection suggests that as many as one in three farmers could be lost within a year due to economic pressures that persist regardless of operational efficiency or hard work.
• Legislative Inadequacy: The absence of a timely and effective Farm Bill is highlighted as a primary contributor to the crisis. The incumbent, Senator Tom Cotton, is criticized for voting against previous versions of the bill.
• Ineffective Subsidies: Existing relief measures are described as insufficient, with subsidies that are not scheduled to take effect until late 2026, a point at which they may be too late for many struggling farms.
• Loss of Global Markets: The report notes the collapse of the U.S. soybean market in China, which has shifted to Brazilian suppliers. This loss of a key export market has severely impacted American farmers, further undermining progress toward SDG 8.

Proposed Framework for Sustainable Agriculture Aligned with SDGs

Shoffner advocates for a strategic shift in U.S. agricultural policy from producing crops for animal feed to cultivating food for human consumption. This new framework is designed to build a resilient, integrated domestic food system that directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals.

Promoting Food Security and Local Production (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

The proposal emphasizes leveraging existing resources, such as land and water in states like Arkansas, to create a self-sufficient food system. This strategy directly addresses SDG 2: Zero Hunger by focusing on food production for local and national consumption.

1. Shift to High-Value Food Crops: Incentivize farmers to move from growing commodity crops like soybeans to producing a diverse range of foods for human consumption.
2. Build Local Supply Chains: Establish markets connecting local farmers directly with large-scale domestic consumers, such as public school cafeterias.
3. Enhance Food System Resilience: By localizing food production, the system becomes less vulnerable to global market volatility, promoting the goals of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Fostering Economic Growth and Educational Integration (SDG 8)

The proposed policy aims to create new economic opportunities and strengthen the connection between communities and their food sources.

• Economic Revitalization: The cultivation of higher-value food crops would increase revenue for farmers, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 8 by creating sustainable livelihoods.
• Government as a Market-Builder: The role of government and elected officials would be to actively create and secure markets for American-grown products, both domestically and internationally, and to attract agricultural research and development projects.
• Educational Integration: The plan includes integrating agriculture and food systems into school curricula. This initiative would educate future generations on the importance of sustainable food supply chains, empowering them to advocate for policies that support farmers and food security.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article’s core focus is on agricultural policy, the crisis facing farmers, and the need to create a system that produces food for people. This directly relates to ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The economic viability of farming as a profession is a central theme. The article discusses farmers going out of business, the need for policies that support their livelihoods, and creating new markets to ensure their economic survival, which aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  A specific proposal in the article is to integrate agricultural education into school curricula to connect children with the source of their food, which relates to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, particularly education for sustainable development.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The proposal for a more integrated domestic agricultural ecosystem, where food is produced and consumed locally, points towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production by shortening supply chains and creating local markets.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article critiques existing political leadership and the failure to pass effective legislation like the Farm Bill. This highlights the need for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to create and implement sound policies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
     
     Explanation: The proposal to “feed that food to families in Arkansas” and “sell that food to… public school cafeterias” directly addresses the goal of ensuring access to food for the local population, including children.
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular… family farmers…
     
     Explanation: The article highlights the severe economic crisis where “we may lose as many as one in every three farmers.” The proposed solution aims to “put money back into the pockets of farmers growing higher value crops,” directly targeting the need to improve farmer incomes and viability.
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…
     
     Explanation: Shoffner advocates for a shift away from growing soybeans for export to creating “an agricultural system in which we produced food right here in the state of Arkansas.” This new system is presented as a more resilient and sustainable model for local food security.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation…
     
     Explanation: The entire critique of the lack of a functional “Farm Bill” and the call for “policy incentives” and for the government to “build markets” are about creating a policy environment that supports the productive activity of farming and prevents job losses in the sector.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly suggests a plan to “integrate that work into our curriculum so kids suddenly have a relationship with where their food comes from.” This is a direct call for education for sustainable development, focusing on food systems and supply chains.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
     
     Explanation: The criticism that “We haven’t had a Farm Bill in years” and that the incumbent senator “voted against it twice” points to a failure of legislative institutions to be effective and responsive to the needs of farmers. The call for new leadership is a call for more accountable governance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not mention official SDG indicators, it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

• Rate of farm closures: The statement that “we may lose as many as one in every three farmers by this time next year” serves as a critical, negative indicator. A reduction in this rate would indicate progress towards Target 2.3.
• Farmer income: The goal to “put money back into the pockets of farmers” implies that the average income of farmers is a key indicator for measuring the success of new agricultural policies (Target 2.3).
• Source of food in public institutions: The suggestion to “sell that food to… public school cafeterias” implies an indicator: the percentage of locally-sourced food in public school meals. This would measure progress towards building local food systems (Target 2.1 and 2.4).
• Agricultural education in curricula: The proposal to “integrate that work into our curriculum” suggests an indicator: the number or percentage of schools that have adopted curricula related to food sources and agriculture (Target 4.7).
• Domestic market share for local produce: The desire for the government to “build markets” for “an Arkansas grown, an Arkansas made product” implies that the volume and value of local food sold within domestic markets would be a key indicator of economic progress (Target 8.3).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: talkbusiness.net