Farm Bill best ever for Valley growers
By: Alex Cantatore | Publication: Turlock Journal,
May 17, 2008 -
Members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate seemed to have the interests of California in mind when they were drafting this year's $300 billion Farm Bill. More than $2 billion, the most ever, will be directed towards specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries that make up the heart of San Joaquin Valley agriculture.
"We must recognize the importance of the historic achievements for specialty crops in this legislation," said Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA 19). "California agriculture may never again benefit so greatly from a Farm Bill as they will from this legislation."
Among the highlights for local specialty crop farmers include $466 million in block grants, $377 million for a new program to combat pests and disease, $230 million for research, and $59 million for trade groups and marketing. An additional $1 billion is reserved for a pilot program set to provide fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks to students in schools across all 50 states, giving farmers an additional avenue to sell their crops.
"For the first time in the history of the Farm Bill, specialty crops-that comprise the majority of California agriculture-are being given the attention they deserve," Radanovich said. "Specialty crop farmers put the fruit, vegetables, nuts and berries in the mouths of millions of Americans and warrant the same treatment as commodity crop farmers."
Members of both legislative branches overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by nearly a three-to-one ratio in both houses. President Bush, however, has voiced his intention to veto the bill, which he terms as irresponsible spending that subsidizes rich farmers in the face of increased food prices.
The President had sought an income limit of $200,000, above which farmers could not qualify for subsidies. The Farm Bill as passed sets that threshold at a total farm income of $750,000, or an individual income of $500,000.
"Any bill like that, there's a lot that you don't like," said Radanovich, "but the benefits to California agriculture are pretty overwhelming so I supported it. It looks like it's going to be very difficult for the President to sustain a veto."
The House and Senate can overturn the President's veto by way of a two-thirds majority vote. Should the expected veto be overridden, it will be only the second time that President Bush's veto has not stood during his two terms in office.
"This bill threads the needle," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA 18). "While people didn't get everything they wanted, the country got what it needed. That speaks volumes about the quality of this bill and tells me we ended up in exactly the right place. For the first time in the history of the farm bill lawmakers, conservationists, nutrition advocates, and farmers from all regions of the country support the overall bill."
The vast majority of the projected Farm Bill cost will go towards domestic nutrition programs, which account for almost $200 billion, or two-thirds of the total price tag. The food stamp program, renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will provide expanded service to ten million Americans, while additional emergency food assistance will be provided to food pantries and other needy groups.
In addition to the usual money reserved for conservation programs, crop insurance, subsidies, livestock, and alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, this year Stanislaus County residents may also benefit from the Environmental Quality Incentives Programs. More than $150 million has been set aside to improve air quality issues in the most polluted areas of the nation, including the Central Valley.
"The San Joaquin Valley has some of the worst air quality in the nation, yet we also supply the country with food," said Radanovich. "The funds provided in this bill allow our farmers to continue their important work while cleaning up the Valley's dirty air by helping retrofit old pumps and engines or assisting in the purchase of new, clean farm equipment."
