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Agriculture

Agriculture

The House-passed Farm Bill was crafted after months of hearings and negotiations among the stakeholders most affected by this legislation.  It represents a compromise that can best meet the needs of America’s agricultural community, which we all rely upon.  It makes investments in fruit and vegetable production, nutrition, conservation, and renewable energy, while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers.

There was much debate leading to the passage of the Farm Bill, including that on a “Fairness” amendment that would have restructured the commodity support program and invested more in conservation and nutrition.  While I voted against the Fairness Amendment, I agree with its underlying concept that investing in conservation and nutrition should be a top priority in any rural development policy.  However, this should be done in a way that will not undercut the safety net to our nation’s farmers. The bill that eventually passed the House retains a strong commodity subsidy title while simultaneously expanding the conservation and nutrition titles.

I supported the Farm Bill because it will stabilize North Carolina agriculture by helping farmers manage risk, as it does through the counter-cyclical and loan deficiency payments of the commodity title. It directs these payments to farmers who make less than $1 million annually, compared to current law, which provides subsidies to farm income of up to $2.5 million.

I firmly believe that the best way to conserve our environment and open space is by protecting our farms and supporting the next generation of farmers. The Farm Bill’s enhanced conservation title directly benefits producers while protecting farmland. It creates new conservation programs and expands existing programs by increasing eligible acreage to protect sensitive land and watersheds. It does this without taking from the commodity support program.  These enhanced conservation programs are funded at $980 million, an increase over 2007 funding levels and the President’s request.
 
The Farm Bill is the main vehicle for providing nutrition support to millions of needy Americans.  The House bill finally expands eligibility for the Food Stamp Program and increases the minimum benefit, in addition to promoting healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables available from farmers markets.  It also fights hunger around the world through increased funding to the McGovern-Dole International Food Nutrition program, which feeds needy children throughout the world and gets them to attend school.
 
I hope that the Senate will make good on their intent to conference with the House as soon as possible.  I welcome the opportunity to debate any differences to get this bill signed into law and am committed to supporting a Farm Bill that will ensure a healthy food supply, protect our farmland through environmentally safe practices, and revitalize rural economies.