Farm Bill Resources
The United States supports its agricultural sector through a
variety of programs. The primary legal framework for agricultural
policy is set through a legislative process that occurs
approximately every 5 years. The current farm law (the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) remains in force through
2012, and congressional deliberations are proceeding on the next
farm law.
ERS analysts examine the economic effects of current farm
programs on producers, consumers, taxpayers, and rural communities,
and evaluate potential effects of alternative policies and
programs. ERS also provides a comparison of new and previous farm
bills, provision by key provision.
2008 Farm Bill: Side-By-Side Comparison
In the 2008 Farm Bill Side-By-Side, ERS presents an
overview of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and a
side-by-side comparison of previous legislation and the 2008 Act.
Included are a users' guide, an alphabetical list of key
provisions, and search capabilities within the side by side.
ERS Policy-Related Research
The core research and data program of the Economic Research
Service covers the breadth of USDA programs touched by the Farm
Bill: farming, nutrition, conservation, and rural development.
Below we highlight some recent research focusing on these
issues.
Commodity
Programs and Risk Management
Conservation
Nutrition
Rural Development
Some Key Supporting Data
Commodity
Programs and Risk Management
Distribution of USDA program payments:
Risk protection overlap and complementary of U.S. farm
programs:
Redesigning ACRE:
Limited base acre provision of the 2008 Farm Act:
Planting Transferability Pilot Program (in 2008 Farm Act) and
fruit and vegetable planting restrictions:
Conservation
Rising commodity prices and the CRP:
Interaction between commodity and conservation programs:
Options for improving conservation programs:
Nutrition
SNAP participation and benefits:
Rural Development
Economic impacts of regional approaches to rural
development:
Farming activities and rural development initiatives:
Some Key Supporting
Data
See also:
2008 Farm Bill: Background Publications
The 2002 Farm
Bill: Provisions and Economic Implications
1996 Farm Bill Side by Side
Related Topics
For more information, see these policy-related topics: