The House Passes Farm Bill

UPDATE: Jan. 29, 2014 — The House of Representatives passed the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly known as the Farm Bill) by a vote of 251-166 today. The Farm Bill conference report provides an overall increase in investment of 55% over 2008 Farm Bill funding levels in critical produce industry initiatives and programs.

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During today’s debate on the House floor, Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) cited bill provisions that provide “dramatic investment in specialty crops” as a reason for his support of the conference report. Rep. Suzan Delbene (WA-1) agreed and urged support for the bill, in part because of the “unprecedented investment in specialty crops.”

United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel lauded the diligence of House members in their ongoing support of the Farm Bill. “We appreciate the leadership and hard work provided by House Chairman Frank Lucas, Ranking Member Collin Peterson, and other members of the House in support of this bill,” said Stenzel. “We look forward to working with our Senate colleagues later in this week to ensure this bill also passes the Senate.”

The Senate could bring up the conference report as early as tomorrow. If the Senate follows the House action as expected and passes the report, it will then be sent to the President for his signature.

Source: United Fresh Produce Association

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Associations Encourage Growers To Contact Representatives In Support Of Farm Bill

Jan. 28, 2014 — Associations such as United Fresh Produce Association are encouraging growers to contact legislators and speak out in favor of the 2014 Farm Bill. The House of Representatives and Senate reached a joint agreement on a new Farm Bill, and the House brings the bill to a vote on Wednesday with the Senate voting late on in the week.

The Agriculture Act of 2014 includes eliminating direct payment program, consolidating and streamlining programs while supporting the agriculture community when affected by economic losses and natural disasters.

“This bill is a milestone, but the bill has not yet passed, so there is still work for produce industry leaders to do in encouraging members of Congress to vote ‘yes’ on the Farm Bill,” said Robert Guenther, United senior vice president of public policy. “This is not an easy vote, so we need an aggressive effort right now from the fresh produce industry.”

“Agriculture is a bright spot in our economy and is helping to drive our recovery. It’s time for Congress to finish this Farm Bill and give the 16 million Americans working in agriculture the certainty they need and deserve,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The new Farm Bill contains a 55% increase in funding of 2008 Farm Bill levels to produce industry initiatives and programs such as the State Block Grant Program, Specialty Crops Research Initiative, pest and disease prevention programs, and the continuation of funding to the Market Access Program and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The bill also strengthens crop insurance and provides a disaster assistance program for growers affected by recent droughts, winter storms, and spring freezes that affected fruit growers in the Midwest.

“The 2014 Farm Bill contains provisions that are the most significant government investment ever in the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable industry,” said United Fresh President & CEO Tom Stenzel.

“We are putting in place sound policy that is good for farmers, ranchers, consumers, and those who have hit difficult times,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in a news release. “We never lost sight of the goal, we never wavered in our commitment to enacting a five-year, comprehensive Farm Bill.”

Key Provisions
According to a House of Representatives and a Senate news releases, the key components of the Agricultural Act of 2014 will:

    • Boost export opportunities to help farmers find new global markets for their goods
    • Continue investments to meet growing consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables, local foods and organics by helping family farmers sell locally, increasing support for farmers’ markets, and connecting farmers to schools and other community-based organizations
    • Support beginning farmers and ranchers with training and access to capital
    • Invest in state-run pilot projects to encourage and incentivize employment and training opportunities for families in need
    • Create initiatives to help veterans start agriculture businesses
    • Grow American bio-based manufacturing (processes using raw agricultural products grown in America
    • Invest in research to promote productivity and new agricultural innovations
    • Strengthen rural development initiatives to help rural communities upgrade infrastructure and create a better environment for small businesses

Citrus Greening Research
A component of the Agricultural Act of 2014 is a new research and extension grant program — Citrus Disease Research and Extension Initiative — that guarantees $125 million in citrus disease research funding over the next five years, and authorizes an additional $125 million in discretionary funding designated to combat the disease.

“Getting this funding to fight citrus disease is a huge victory not just for the growers in my district, but for our entire state and everyone in this country who drinks orange juice,” U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-17) said. “The citrus industry creates $9 billion in annual economic impact and 76,000 jobs in Florida, but greening threatens to wipe out our growers and manufacturers. This new initiative will help save Florida’s citrus industry, protect Florida jobs, and ensure that all Americans continue to enjoy a safe, affordable and abundant food supply.”

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