For
Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Hart
Washington, DC-May 14, 2008 – Today,
by a broad, bipartisan vote of 318-106, the House sent the Farm Bill
Conference Report to the President for his signature, pending Senate
approval which is expected late this evening or tomorrow. H.R. 2419,
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act, more commonly referred to as
the Farm Bill, plays an instrumental role in shaping agriculture policy
and practice – and is the most important single piece of legislation
affecting South Dakota producers, families and businesses. Although
the president has signaled that he will veto the bill, today’s vote
demonstrates that there are sufficient votes to override a potential
veto and the bill is one step closer to becoming law.
In addition to maintaining a safety net for producers, the farm bill includes provisions to encourage the development of renewable sources of energy within the energy title including:
For the first time, the Farm Bill includes a dedicated livestock title including an agreement for implementing mandatory COOL and interstate shipment of beef. Additionally, 70% of the bill’s spending will go toward domestic and international food assistance, a critical necessity as we see food prices rising around the world. Finally, the agreement increases money for conservation programs, including a Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Grasslands Reserve, and Wetlands Reserve. Provisions authored by Rep. Herseth Sandlin in the House-passed Farm Bill that have been retained in the Conference Report include: Delay USDA County Office Closures This provision would prevent the Farm Service Agency, the Rural Development Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service from closing any county or field offices for two years after the enactment of the overall Farm Bill. Access to Broadband Internet in Rural America The Rural Development title includes provisions derived, in part, from Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s legislation to improve access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas. It ensures Rural Utility Service (RUS) broadband loans will be better directed to companies providing service to unserved households, like many areas in South Dakota and rural America. The changes made in the Farm Bill show important progress in the effort to reform the RUS Broadband Loan Program. Beginning Farmers and Ranchers The bill includes language sponsored by Rep. Herseth Sandlin and Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota to help beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers succeed in agriculture and ensure that family-based agriculture in this country thrives for generations to come. In particular, the conference agreement increases the amount of direct farm ownership loans, guaranteed farm ownership loans, direct farm ownership loans reserved for down payment and direct operating loans for beginning farmers and ranchers; adjusts the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Down Payment Loan Program to better serve producers; and provides $75 million in mandatory funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which provides training, education, outreach and technical assistance initiatives. Agronomist on the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee Directs the appointment of an individual to the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee with expertise in agronomy, crop science, or soil science. ### Congresswoman
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives.
She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats
committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is
co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the
profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three
committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’
Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin
was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee
on Energy Independence and Global Warming. |
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