As an owner of Three Spring Farms in Perryville, I am deeply troubled about the inclusion of language designed to undo state agriculture laws in the U.S. House’s version of the Farm Bill.
Dubbed a “fix” to California’s Proposition 12 (a state ballot measure passed in 2018 that sets food safety and animal welfare standards), this language poses a significant threat to small, family-owned farms like ours. It also undermines the federalist principles of local governance and consumer choice.
Three Spring Farms has been a community asset for more than a decade and mirrors similar farms that have contributed to local quality of life for generations. Our farm, nestled in the heart of southeast Missouri, thrives on the principles of sustainable agriculture, humane animal treatment, and close-knit community relationships. We have always prided ourselves on producing high-quality, ethically sourced products that our customers trust and value. The attempt of the chair of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman GT Thompson (R-Pa.), to gut popularly passed state agriculture measures jeopardizes our ability to maintain these standards and continue our mission. Our customers and, we believe, our neighbors are supportive of these ethical standards.
One of the core issues with the “Prop 12 fix” in the Farm Bill is that it overrides state-level regulations designed to protect local agriculture and ensure basic welfare of farm animals. Missouri and other states across the country have implemented specific guidelines that reflect the values and priorities of their residents. These regulations are tailored to address the unique environmental, economic, and social conditions of our respective regions. By imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, the misguided Prop 12 fix would strip states of their ability to enact and enforce policies that best serve their citizens and agricultural communities.
Thompson’s version of the Farm Bill would also erode consumer trust in local farming. Our customers choose Three Spring Farms because they know they are supporting a farm that prioritizes ethical practices and high-quality products. If Thompson’s Farm Bill passes, it could create a race to the bottom, where the lowest common denominator dictates the quality and safety of our food supply. This would erode the trust we have worked so hard to build with our community.
The Prop 12 fix provision in the Farm Bill fails to recognize the diversity and complexity of American agriculture. What works for large-scale operations in one part of the country may not be suitable for small, diversified family farms like ours. The agricultural landscape of the United States is incredibly varied. Individual states, via voters and their elected state legislators, must retain the ability to tailor agricultural policies to support their unique agricultural ecosystems.
We urge members of Congress, including our senators and representatives from Missouri, to consider the far-reaching and detrimental implications of Rep. Thompson’s Prop 12 nullification effort and to stand up for the values of local governance, consumer choice, and the preservation of our diverse agricultural heritage. The future health of small farms and the communities they serve depends on it.
Bryan Meyers is the owner of Three Spring Farms, LLC, a Perryville-based farm.
