The 2014 Farm Bill: What Growers Need To Know
February 4, 2014 UPDATED [Feb. 7, 2014]
Soon following the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill by the Senate on Tuesday, and its approval last week in the House of Representatives, President Obama has officially signed the measure into law.
The bill, on which Congress started having hearings in 2010, provides nearly $4 billion in funding for programs that benefit specialty crop production, including fresh produce. The funding amounts and policies encompassed in the bill reflect specialty crop priorities for block grants, research, pest and disease mitigation, nutrition and trade. The federal commitment to specialty crop needs included in the bill is unprecedented and builds on the momentum begun under the 2008 Farm Bill, according to a news release from United Fresh Produce Association.
Are you satisfied with the provisions for specialty growers in the 2014 Farm Bill?
Loading ...“Everybody seems to agree that in the history of Farm Bill reauthorizations, this has been the most challenging and has taken the longest,” said Robert Guenther, United Fresh’s senior vice president for Public Policy. “But even though the overall bill took many unexpected twists and turns, one thing was consistent: strong, bipartisan support in the House and Senate for fresh fruit and vegetable policies. Throughout the long process, Farm Bill programs for fruits and vegetables were maintained or strengthened. This is a clear sign that policymakers recognize the importance of our industry to the nutritional well-being of all Americans and to the overall U.S. economy. We’ll continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that America’s fruit and vegetable providers operate under government policies that allow them to be as innovative as they can be to enhance their competitiveness and ability to meet America’s nutritional needs.”
Click here for more information from United Fresh on the provisions in the Farm Bill.
In addition, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack made the following statement on passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014:
“Today’s action will allow the proud men and women who feed millions around the world to invest confidently in the future. Our communities will have additional support to attract new economic opportunity and create jobs. During difficult times, children, working families, seniors, and people with disabilities will have access to nutritious food. The potential of new products, treatments and discoveries will be strengthened through new agricultural research. Renewed conservation efforts will protect our fields, forests, and waters creating new tourism options. This legislation is important to the entire nation.
Building on the historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, this bill will accomplish those goals while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. While no legislation is perfect, this bill is a strong investment in American agriculture and supports the continued global leadership of our farmers and ranchers.”
Source: United Fresh Produce Association; USDA Office of Communications
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