Producers Provide Feedback On Farm Bill Programs
July 22, 2010 Congressman Dennis Cardoza, D-CA, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, held a hearing to review specialty crop and organic agriculture programs in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill.
The subcommittee heard from producers from operations of various sizes that grow a diversity of products. Some of the witnesses included Dan Richey, president/CEO, Riverfront Packing Co. in Vero Beach, FL; Mark Nicholson, executive vice president, Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY; and Robert Jones, director of production, The Chef’s Garden in Huron, OH. Each provided insight on the USDA Farm Bill program implementation at the ground level.
Richey reported specifically about the challenges Florida agriculture is facing and how it related to the Farm Bill programs. "With 21 international seaports, airports and 1,200 miles of coastline, Florida is a gateway state for cargo and passengers. Obviously, this creates considerable risk of agricultural pest and disease entry. And believe me, we are scared of the next citrus disease to reach our state. They are out there. Diseases such as CVC, Sudden Death, and leprosis can be found in Brazil and Central America, two major trading partners with the United States. We have got to do everything we can to keep these diseases out of the U.S. Part of this can be achieved through the Section 10201 program. And we believe the USDA can improve the implementation of the program in high risk sentinel areas, such as Florida. As you recall, a key foundational component of Section 10201 was to increase resources to high risk areas of the U.S. to assist with the early detection of new pest and disease introductions."
Click here to see a video of Richey’s testimony.
Nicholson said he was pleased to report on how many of the programs are helping the specialty crop industry, specifically the apple industry, as well as the direct impact on his family’s third generation farm, Red Jacket Orchards. "I believe these programs are a good investment in our industry, especially in these tough economic times. Today, specialty crop producers face an interesting dichotomy. On one hand we are under pressure like never before from increased input costs – from electricity to labor and crop protection tools – and competition from low cost producers like China."
Jones emphasized the importance of being able to truly listening to consumers’ needs, and then convincing growers to meet and exceed those needs. "This is where the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is most valuable: helping specialty crop producers help themselves. Sixty percent of all the nation’s farmers do not grow Farm Bill “program crops” and therefore do not receive direct subsides. (site: USDA, 2007 farm bill Proposals, page 171) Please hear me clearly: we do not want them. Ohio growers like me are much more interested in becoming better growers, marketers, and promoters."
Click here to see the complete written opening statements provided by these witnesses and others.
"I am once again reminded of the extraordinary diversity of products and practices represented by the specialty and organic sectors of our nation’s agriculture industry," said Cardoza. "It is imperative we work together to address health and nutrition issues in this country by increasing accessibility to healthy fruits and vegetables. Based on what I have heard, it is clear we have work to do but are on the right track."
"As we approach the next farm bill, it is imperative that we hear directly from growers and to understand first-hand what is working and what is not working. Given today’s regulatory burdens, programs in the farm bill will be even more important to helping our producers comply with potential federal mandates, remain competitive in the global marketplace, and continue to supply the world with the safest and most plentiful and abundant food supply," said Subcommittee ranking member Jean Schmidt, R-OH.
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 was the first Farm Bill to contain a separate title dedicated to horticulture and organic agriculture, addressing issues regarding specialty crop block grants, planting flexibility, pest and disease management, organic certification cost-share and conversation and specialty crop research. According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, specialty crops account for approximately 50% of all U.S. cash receipts of farm crops.
Source: House Agriculture Committee news release