BOSTON - Senator John Kerry announced that the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Farm Bill yesterday afternoon, joining the House in securing a veto-proof margin. The bill would invest $10.3 billion in food and nutrition programs, $5.2 billion in conservation programs, as well as millions of dollars in programs that stimulate local economies.

Massachusetts has more than 6000 farms, many of which sell to local markets.

“This farm bill will provide immediate help to many Massachusetts farmers and their communities. From nutrition programs that will help families afford healthy food, farm support efforts that assist struggling farmers address rising costs, protections for our nation’s natural resources, and investments in renewable energy sources like cellulosic biofuels to help reduce our dependence on oil, this bill will assist our rural communities stay afloat in a time of rising food prices and skyrocketing oil prices. I strongly urge the President to support farmers and rural communities in Massachusetts and across the country and sign this bill into law,” said John Kerry.

The Farm Bill includes many provisions to provide assistance to Massachusetts.

Food stamps: The Farm Bill makes critical reforms to help meet the food needs of eligible Food Stamp program participants. It ends benefit erosion increases the minimum benefit from $10 to $14. It allows for a new deduction of child care costs for families with high child care expenses.

Food banks, child care costs and food assistance: A recent survey of the nation’s food banks indicated that 84% are currently unable to meet increased demand without having to reduce the amount of food they distribute or people they serve. This provision would help address the struggles of food banks by providing $1.26 billion over the next ten years to increase commodity purchases – an increase that nearly doubles the current level of funding, including $50 million in 2008 to address immediate needs.

Fresh fruits and vegetables to school children: Over the next ten years, $1 billion would be invested in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack program, which would allow three million low-income to benefit from the program.

Farmers’ Market Promotion Program: This provision would make available $33 million over the next five years for farmers markets and on-farm consumer sales.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): The EQIP program, which provides incentives for conservation practices on working lands, would be increased by $3.4 billion over 10 years. Forest management, pollinator habitat and organics would be added as eligible activities.

Farmland Preservation: Funding for the Farmland Protection Program would double to $773 million over the next ten years and the application process has been streamlined to make it easier for partners, such as states and non-profit organizations, to participate in farmland protection projects.

Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC): The MILC program provides a strong safety net for Massachusetts dairy farmers. The program is significantly strengthened through the inclusion of a feed adjustor provision that improves the safety net for dairy farmers as feed costs rise. The Dairy Title also speeds up the Federal Milk Marketing Order decision making process and provides greater transparency in the reporting of dairy product prices.

Specialty Crops: The Farm Bill would add roughly $2 billion in new money for specialty crops initiatives, including trade, nutrition and research. It creates the new Specialty Crop Block Grant Program that would provide roughly $500 million in funding over the next ten years for state agricultural departments to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in areas including promotion, marketing, trade, research and nutrition.

Cranberry Research Program: The Cranberry Research Program would give research and extension grants to study new technologies to assist cranberry growers comply with Federal and State environmental regulations, increase production, develop new growing techniques, establish more efficient growing methodologies, and educate cranberry producers about sustainable growth practices. Massachusetts is home to 14,000 harvested acres of cranberry bogs.

Advanced biofuels: The Farm Bill includes $300 million in mandatory funding for payments to support the production of advanced biofuels, including biodiesel and cellulosic biofuels. The legislation also would direct a comprehensive analysis of effects of biofuels production and use on fuel prices, land use, commodity and food prices, and the price of forest products.

Biomass research and development: This provision would double the resources spent on research into biomass development by providing $118 million in mandatory funding for the Biomass Research and Development program.

Cellulosic Ethanol: This provision would include a new, temporary production tax credit for up to $1.01 per gallon of cellulosic ethanol, available through December 31, 2012.

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