The Urgency

America’s Food and Land at Risk: Why We Must Act Now

 

Across the country, our land, food supply, and rural economies are under siege. The threats are clear, and the need for action has never been more urgent. Veterans must lead the way in reclaiming our nation’s food sovereignty—restoring the land, rebuilding local food systems, and ensuring that America’s food security is in American hands.

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Wildfires: Millions of Acres Lost Each Year

 

Catastrophic wildfires devastate the West, destroying millions of acres of land, displacing families, and releasing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Overgrown forests and decades of mismanagement have left landscapes vulnerable to infernos.

 

Regenerative grazing can reduce fuel loads, restore fire-damaged lands, and prevent future wildfires by strategically managing livestock to maintain healthy grasslands and firebreaks. Veterans can lead the charge in protecting our landscapes while revitalizing training grounds on military bases using livestock as a tool.

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Rural America is Dying: Declining Economies, Collapsing Communities

 

Once-thriving rural communities are in decline. Farm bankruptcies, disappearing jobs, and land consolidation have stripped small-town economies of their lifeblood. Meanwhile, industrial agriculture and foreign interests are pushing out independent farmers and ranchers.

 

The Solution: By putting veterans at the helm of regenerative agriculture and localized food production, we can rebuild rural economies, create jobs, and restore purpose to those who served. Instead of selling out to global corporations, we can empower veterans and American farmers to take back control.

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Food Deserts in the Heart of America

 

Even in regions where food is grown, many Americans have little or no access to fresh, local food. A centralized food system controlled by a handful of corporations has created massive vulnerabilities. When crises like COVID-19 and disease outbreaks strike, supply chains collapse—leaving store shelves empty and communities struggling.

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Decentralizing food production through veteran-led regional food hubs and direct-to-consumer meat and produce sales ensures that food is produced locally, processed locally, and stays local. Strengthening regional food systems makes America’s food supply more secure and resilient against disruptions.

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Foreign Interests Are Buying Up American Farmland

Foreign actors are quietly acquiring farmland across the U.S., including near critical military bases. This not only threatens our national security but also places control of our food system into the hands of those who do not have America’s best interests at heart.

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Veterans must lead the effort to reclaim and protect American land and food production. Through land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, and strong local ownership, we can ensure that our nation’s resources remain in American hands and serve American communities—not foreign investors.