Farm Bill Budget

Approximately every five years Congress reviews a variety of federal laws, both permanent and expiring, which collectively make up what is known as the Food, Conservation and Energy Act or more commonly, The Farm Bill. These laws regulate a wide variety of agricultural and food programs and has continued to expand throughout the past few decades. There are currently a total of fifteen titles consisting of selected programs and policies written under the most recent 2008 Farm Bill. The first title addresses commodity programs. For these programs, the farm bill authorizes financial support for crops through direct payments, countercyclical payments and marketing loans. Direct payments are regulated by limiting the amount of money producers
It includes new programs and increased spending for horticulture and organic production. This bill provides new mandatory funding for the growth of farmers’ markets and for converting producers to organic production. Pest and disease early detection programs and fresh produce food safety programs were also allotted under this title. Other provisions include price reporting, organic data collection and federal organic regulation activities. Title XI of the farm bill includes provisions concerning livestock. Country-of-origin labeling is required under this title to show where an animal was raised. The bill also paved way for state-inspected meat and poultry to be shipped and sold across state lines. Food safety and livestock disease prevention have been addressed under this part of the bill. Livestock reporting and manure uses studies have also become mandatory thanks to Title XI. Crop insurance and disaster assistance makes up Title XII of the farm bill. Under this title farmer’s administrative fees are increased in order to cover the minimum amount of insurance. Disaster help and insurance for crops is provided for livestock, forage, tree and nursery crops under this part of the
A tax break is given to property owners attempting to preserve endangered species on their land. Ethanol production is being rewarded and forest conservation bonds are being issued to nonprofit organizations who wish to purchase forest land for conservation. The Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Program or SURE program is a permanent agenda that was created under this title. This assists crop producers with compensation for a portion of their crop