What is the Farm Bill

What is the Farm Bill? The Farm Bill is major federal law that addresses agricultural production, food and nutrition assistance, rural development, renewable energy, and conservation policies. We all know that it’s important to have access to fresh and affordable food that nourishes our bodies. The types of food produced and how we access those foods is in good part determined by policies that Congress sets and manages through the Farm Bill, typically set for 5 year periods. Congress is now deciding the 2007-2012 version. This is a timely opportunity for healthy food proponents and supporters of local agriculture to weigh in on the process. You really can make a difference if you act now!!

Our current Farm Bill is out of balance: Most farmers in Massachusetts and the Northeast grow products referred to as “specialty crops” that do not benefit from current Farm Bill policies like the “commodity crops” of corn, soy beans, rice and cotton. Importantly, fruits, vegetables, and nut crops now make up over half of the value of all crops grown in the United States, yet they have never received the direct subsidies and Federal support that has historically gone to commodity crops.

Too few Americans today consume healthful diets, as recommended by the USDA's own Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We do not eat enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains. For decades the unbalanced support provided by the Farm Bill has promoted overproduction of and low prices for these commodities. This has contributed to diets of highly processed foods made from the cheap starches, added fats and sweeteners derived from these crops. These foods tend to be rich in calories, but poor in healthy nutrients, which leads to obesity and chronic diseases that plague a majority of our population.

In this farm bill, Congress can and should make Americans' health a priority. Critical pieces of the farm bill will open the door toward making more healthful foods accessible and affordable for more people. The government's agricultural policies should:

What Farmers’ Market Shoppers Can Do
To Support A Healthy 2007 Farm Bill

New Action: 9/25/07

What does the Finance Committee have to do with the Farm Bill???
The Senate Finance Committee will soon be considering a tax bill that will be used to fund the next Farm Bill.

Senator Kerry serves on the Finance Committee.
This is a unique opportunity for him to influence the Farm Bill. Please urge him to ensure that there is sufficient funding for the food and agriculture programs that work for the Northeast. These include working lands conservation, food access and nutrition, market development and farm viability, and specialty crops. For a list of Northeast priorities, visit:
http://www.nesawg.org/pubs/northeast_farm_bill_agenda_one_pager.pdf.

We need to generate as many phone calls, faxes, and e-mails to Committee members as possible. Please contact Senator Kerry today with the following simple message:

The Message:
I am a constituent and I am calling to ask Senator Kerry to vote for a tax bill that funds Farm Bill programs important to Massachusetts at no less than $10 billion over the next five years. I believe we need to invest in…
(pick two or three priorities that are most important to you and your organization or check the link above or more info on this page below).

Contact Info:
Call Senator Kerry’s office at (202) 224-2742 and ask for Kathleen Fargione who is responsible for agriculture matters. If she is unavailable, leave a message with your name, phone number and the message above on the aide’s voice mail or with the receptionist. If you prefer to write, fax a brief letter to (202) 224-8525 with the points above, along with your name and address and contact information.

Background:
In the past, Northeast senators have not had much of say in the shape of the Farm Bill because of poor representation on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Things are different this time around because of the larger role being played by the Senate Finance Committee which helps determine the total amount of money allocated for Farm Bill spending. It is Senate Finance Chairman Baucus’ intention to pass Farm Bill-related tax provisions in the Finance Committee, rather than supply tax offsets to the Agriculture Committee as was done in the House version.

It's a good sign that the Finance Committee is considering tax measures that might address our issues in a positive fashion. However, addressing the tax bill in this fashion may not supply or free up enough funds in the Farm Bill to allow for robust conservation, nutrition, rural development, research, specialty crop, and energy titles. It is clear that the bare minimum needed – over and above the $5 billion Chairman Baucus is committed to spending on a permanent disaster program – is another $10 billion over five years. So it is imperative that Finance Committee members hear from constituents about the need for at least this level of funding for these priorities.

The Senate Finance Committee’s vote on the tax title is a critical step before the Senate Agriculture Committee can take up the Farm Bill.  Please call or write today!

Call/fax/write (email is OK but less preferable) your federal legislators and tell them to support the following legislative initiatives. Phone calls and personal notes to Senator Kerry and Kennedy are particularly effective:

The Farmers Market Promotion Program: Massachusetts farmers’ markets would be able to compete for these funds. Currently only $1 million is available nationally for promoting some 4500 farmers markets. Please ask for "mandatory" funding of $35 million over 5 years for this program.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: This program helps seniors to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets and other locations. This could be greatly expanded for Mass. seniors if funding is increased from the current $15 million to $30 million annually, as “mandatory” funding.

Community Food Projects (CFP): CFP has provided millions of dollars to Massachusetts non-profit, community based organizations for projects to increase the self reliance of communities to promote comprehensive responses to food, farm and nutrition issues. We seek an increase from $5 million to $30 million dollars in mandatory funding. The current House version (July 20, 2007!) provides no funding at all!

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program provides funding to states to support projects in research, marketing, education, pest and disease management, production, and food safety. Support an increase from the current $40 million in FY 2008 to at least $365 million by FY 2012, as mandatory funding.

Farmland Protection and Farmland Viability Programs: Initiated in Massachusetts, additional funding for the farmland protection and farmland viability programs is required. Massachusetts has a long waiting list of farmers who want to preserve their farm land and stay in business to provide local, healthy, sustainably grown foods.

Farm to School Program: With the increase in obesity and diabetes among the population, especially in school children, mandating the provision of healthier foods, especially fruits and vegetables, for our school cafeterias is critical. Only a few states are eligible under the old Farm Bill, so request that the new Farm Bill expand this eligibility and funding to all 50 states.

Online resources for farm bill information: Educate yourself further about the Farm Bill and stay up-to-date on federal policy actions coordinated by national policy advocacy organizations:

· Go to Healthy Farm Bill.org www.healthyfarmbill.org and send your representatives a message about a healthy food and farm bill.