Since 1933, 18 variations of food security legislation under the Farm Bill category have been passed in the United States. The last set of Farm Bill laws was enacted in 2018—the Agricultural Improvement Act—and the bill is typically renewed every five years, according to the Library of Congress. As such, the Farm Bill and its impact on food and farming security in the US has been in the spotlight throughout 2023.

For background, the Farm Bill revolves around the details of food growth on farms; it also includes portions about crop insurance for the food producers and farmers, training programs for farmers, healthy food being provided for low-income people, and farming sustainability. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition reported that the Farm Bill’s enactment process entails the initial proposal, discussions, an official vote in Congress, and a signature from the US President. Due to how many times the Farm Bill is reviewed every five years with its varying principles, there is often a barrage of suggestions for what its primary focus should be. Numerous Farm Bill advocates agree that food security should be at the forefront of this edition.

The American Farm Bureau Federation communicated that the 2023 Farm Bill would increase food security by ensuring a sustainable way for farmers to provide the nation with food while also providing training and support for farmers to continue this cycle. In addition, much of the US population will have food sources guaranteed regardless of their economic class. The Farm Bill’s aid directed toward both the farmers and consumers aims to provide food security for both groups by reaching for the goal of Americans always having access to healthy, sustainable food. 

While food security is being covered in the Farm Bill, organizations like the Irrigation Association are urging this legislation to include portions about water security as well. Some of their water security recommendations include addressing irrigation and water conservation through the US Department of Agriculture along with giving farmers incentives to install new irrigation systems to promote water security. If the Farm Bill were to include points about irrigation systems and water conservation, this could bring the US one step closer to achieving water security for everyone. By saving water previously used for farming and instead redirecting that water to provide sustainable, accessible sources of water for communities, these recommended additions to the Farm Bill could be very impactful.

The Irrigation Association outlined a general summary of their reasoning behind the suggestion to add the topic of water security to the 2023 Farm Bill.

“Our farmers are doing more with less, but they must—and can—do even more to meet the needs of a growing global population and overcome pressures on limited freshwater resources, more frequent and prolonged severe weather events and droughts, and geopolitical instability,” the Irrigation Association said on their website.

While the 2023 Farm Bill has yet to be passed, many people in the United States are hopeful that it will not only continue the path toward food security but also address the pressing issue of water security.