WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today approved the FY09 Supplemental Appropriations bill which included Sen. Herb Kohl’s proposal to include funding for loans to support farming and agriculture. The bill includes $360 million for direct farm ownership loans, $400 million for direct operating loans, and $50 million for guaranteed operating loans through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.    

“Wisconsin’s dairy families are operating under enormous economic strain,” Kohl said. “Difficulties in dairy are compounded by agricultural credit shortages and these loans can help some struggling farmers avoid foreclosure and stay on their feet while continuing to operate their farms.”

Kohl is Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations panel and has continued to work for the agriculture industry and local farmers by including farm credit provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Congress passed earlier this year. Additionally, Senator Kohl fought to extend and improve the expiring Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program in the 2008 Farm Bill.

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