Senator Deane-Gonzalez

116th Congress
First Session
In the United States Senate

C.R.O.P.S Act
Change and Reform of Farmer Protection Services Act

A Bill to save America's small food producers

Whereas: only ​1.3% of the workforce is in agriculture, a number that has been
significantly declining since the 1840’s,

Whereas: 87% of U.S. agricultural products sold are produced on family farms or ranches
and about 98% of U.S. farms are operated by families

Whereas: in 2017 just 14.6¢ of every dollar spent on food went back to the farmers who
grew it,

Whereas: the top producing 10% of farmers received 77% of government subsidies
reserved for farming,

Whereas: tariffs on China have dropped the amount gained off exports to a 20 year low,

Whereas: small, family owned farms across the country are struggling to keep up with
major producers,

Be it hereby enacted, that the Senate shall:

I. Cut Top Subsidies

A. Cut the amount of money going towards subsidies for the top producing 10% of
food producers in half

1. This would provide $​79.079 billion that can be rerouted to other

provisions of this bill
 II. Expand Grant Funding

A. Put more money into the farm grant systems to allow small farmers to have a
security net, but to also allow them to decide on their own how they will use that
money to better their farms

III. Create Guide Programs

A. Expand funding to the USDA to create online resources that can educate local
farmers on ways to increase their productivity, increase their sustainability, and
decrease their waste

IV. Give State Grants

A. Set up a formula grant program that gives grants to the top 10 states with the most
local growers to allow state legislators to decide what they will do to help their
local farms