Dear John,

The ball is rolling with the Farm Bill: The House now has a proposed draft and the Senate may not be far behind. Disappointingly, the House’s recently released funding bill makes spending cuts to every Farm Aid priority program from SNAP funding to eliminating protections for small meat and poultry producers against large companies. The bill also prohibits equity, diversity and inclusion programs at the USDA, and allows individuals and organizations to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people on the basis of “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Read our take on what's happening and stay up to date on the latest news.

Our newest Farmer Heroes, Stacy and Virginia Thomas of Clover Mountain Dairy in Washington State, have renounced the culture of quantity, concentrating instead on quality. Virginia sat down with Farm Aid to share the journey that resulted in a micro-dairy that incorporates regenerative practices and supports a robust rural community.

We're currently cooking up plans for Farm Aid 2024. Stay tuned to this newsletter and our social media accounts (now including Threads) for an announcement in the next few weeks about when and where the festival will be and how to get tickets.

For now, get ready to dance, sing and celebrate family farmers with us by watching last year's sets.