News From the
Committee on Small Business
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship & Trade
Heath Shuler, Chairman

For Immediate Release                       CONTACT:  Doug Abrahms (Shuler) 202-225-6401
July 30, 2009                                                           Committee Press Office 202-226-3636

Local Farmers and Consumers See Boost from Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. —New agriculture policies that were signed into law just last year have helped develop the nation’s growing “specialty-crops” industry, family farmers and government officials told a House Small Business Subcommittee today. Specialty crops – which comprise fresh fruits, vegetables, and horticultural plants – are one of the fastest emerging sectors in U.S. agriculture.

“Small businesses and family famers are integral to our food system,” said Rep. Health Shuler (D-NC), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade. “Thanks to initiatives in the 2008 Farm Bill, farmers in Western North Carolina who grow apples, vegetables, and berries will be able to find new markets for their products.”

The specialty crop industry comprises nearly one-third of U.S. crop production. As the Farm Bill includes $3 billion in investments for specialty crop programs, this production will likely grow in coming years. Family farmers, some hailing from Shuler’s district, testified at the hearing and voiced support for provisions in the 2008 law that are designed to advance the specialty crop industry. Rather than providing direct subsidies to farmers, the specialty-crop programs help improve farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture initiatives. The new law also assists farmers with issues like pest management and food safety. Shuler said that supporting the specialty crop sector not only strengthens an important part of the U.S. economy, but can provide Americans healthier food choices.

“Specialty crops provide a healthy, local food alternative for Americans and can go a long way toward reducing obesity and improving the lives of Americans,” Shuler said. “By targeting help specifically to the producers of specialty crops, we can bring more local produce fresh from the field to Americans’ kitchen tables and school cafeterias.”

Lawmakers also said that future policies would need to help U.S. food producers export their crops, so that they can enter new markets and remain profitable. In recent years, the U.S. has become a net importer of specialty crops. For this reason, the Farm Bill contained provisions that are aimed at fostering U.S. specialty crop exports.

“Too often, domestic farmers are crowded out by foreign competitors,” said Shuler. “Congress needs to carefully weigh how to ensure our domestic farmers stay competitive, so that we maintain a strong foundation of agriculture production in this country.”

Shuler was appointed as the Small Business Committee representative for the conference committee that crafted the final 2008 Farm Bill. According to the 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture North Carolina sold $1.05 billion in specialty crops in 2007.

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Click here to view video from today’s hearing.