A CITIZENS GUIDE TO THE FARM BILL

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Approximately every ve years, the Congress of the United States of America passes legislation that details the agriculture support policies and funds for the next four years. This is commonly known as the Farm Bill.

Why Do We Need It?

The Farm Bill authorizes the continuation of previous programs and introduces new initiatives as called for in the ever changing elds. It provides much of the regulation of these industries and sectors that otherwise would revert back to the permanent law established in the 1940s. The Farm Bill also represents the chief federal appropriations towards agriculture and the subcategories and provides the funding necessary for sustaining these programs and initiatives.

What Does It Include?

Farm Bill Title Sections as a Percentage of the Budget Authority For FY 2013-2022 9.05% 0.14% The rst Farm Bill was penned in the 1930s to 6.33% address the problem of extremely low commodity 0.34% prices. Since then, the bills have gained legislative 6.53% measures addressing crop insurance and loans, establishing conservation programs, promoting the ability to trade surplus internationally, funding for nutritional programs, providing lines of credit for farms, continuing rural development, incentivizing new research, support healthy forestry, furthering Source: Congressional renewable energy use and sources, and Research Service developing specialty crops, such as organically using the March 2012 Congressional Budget grown products. Funding for these programs is 77.60% Ofce baseline divided between mandatory spending and Crop Insurance discretionary spending. Increases or decreases in Horticulture & Organic + Energy mandatory spending are established in the bill and Commodities funding is overseen via creation of a budget Trade authority. Discretionary spending is decided on an Conservation annual basis through separate appropriation bills. Nutrition

How Is It Made?
Drafting of the bill by members of Congress, Administration or other

Introduction into the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture

Introduction into the Senate Committee on Agriculture

Committee holds hearings and makes amendments to the bill

Committee holds hearings and makes amendments to the bill

Vote held to decide whether to report the bill to the oor

Vote held to decide whether to report the bill to the oor

Bill Introduced to the Floor Referred to the Rules Committee Debated Voted upon by the entire House

Bill Introduced to the Floor Debated Voted upon by the entire Senate

Conference Committee formed between both Houses to reconcile the differences if two distinct of the bills are passed

Revised bill presented and voted upon in each House

Approved in both Houses Bill sent to the President to sign

What Does It Do?

Summarizing content within the title sections of the 2012 Farm Bi! as proposed and passed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Conservation:
Conservation of our natural habitats is recognized as an endeavor of signicant importance for the continued health and the cultivation of clean water, abundant food sources, and wildlife populations. Programs emphasize the integration of natural habitats on working land also being used for agriculture or ranching. Conservation programs address a wide range of issues from soil erosion to maintaining watersheds and water quality. Easements fall under two categories, wetlands and agricultural, both focused on long-term land protection by preventing development to maintain the benets of the natural ecosystem.

Horticulture & Organic:

Fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops not included under the other titles are given funding here for research and cultivation. Additional attention is paid to promoting and developing farmers markets and the prevalence of local food. Organic certication falls under this title along with all the accompanying research, development, and promotion of organic methods and products.

Commodities:
Since farming is an occupation dependent on many external factors, programs in this section focus on reimbursement plans farmers can enroll in that would aid in income recovery in the event of disease or disasters that signicantly affect the yield, livestock, or other products. Additionally, loans are made available at a certain rate to aid in the cultivation of various product including but not limited to wheat, corn, peanuts, rice, cotton, soybeans, honey, chickpeas, sugar, and wool. Dairy is also covered to ensure the feed costs do not exceed the prot from milk.

Nutrition:
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, is outlined and regulated in this section. Changes to the program include and emphasis on ensuring that resources are not being abused and that the participating stores are of a certain quality and providing healthy options. Additional programs work to provide fresh, healthy foods to senior citizens and schools. There is also a focus on providing healthier foods and building the availability of food within communities with programs such as food banks or urban greenhouses.

What Does It Do?

Summarizing content within the title sections of the 2012 Farm Bi! as proposed and passed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Energy:
The growth and development of biofuels is encouraged as an alternative fuel source and form of renewable energy. These programs range from assistance for increasing production, education, adoption of these practices and promoting research and development.

Credit:
Lines of credit and loans are provided to help farmers just entering the industry and for the implementation of more conservation methods. Additional options are available for other farmers not meeting these specications. Funds are also devoted to state mediation in USDA related disputes.

Research:
Development of advanced methods has allowed the United States to become more efcient and productive with limited resources. Such innovations are encouraged to continue with grants for university, agricultural, and policy development. There are also initiatives to attract new people to the profession of farming and to ll the needs for rural agricultural veterinarians.

Rural Development:
With rural America as a central part of our national identity, this section focuses on promoting community and rural business development through loans and grants. The infrastructure of the nation is also addressed with programs to address rural water and wastewater systems, energy saving improvements, and the availability of broadband and telecommunication services.

Forestry:
The preservation of forests and their health is prioritized in this section. This includes work on ensuring biodiversity and protecting native species. Urban forestry is also addressed with a focus on development and maintenance.

Crop Insurance:
Crop insurance is utilized to ensure that a failed crop or low yields do not have such a devastating effect on a farmers ability to continue next season. All commodities, including fruit and vegetable products are covered with special consideration for cotton and peanuts. New farmers and ranchers are also given additional aid.

What Does It Do?

Summarizing content within the title sections of the 2012 Farm Bi! as proposed and passed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Trade:
The U.S. is the leader in world food production and exports a signicant portion of the worlds annual crops. Promotion of our products worldwide is encouraged with various programs to expand into international and emerging markets. Our international food aid programs are also addressed here and vary in approaches including direct donation of food, exchange of farmers to teach needed skills in developing areas, providing food during crisis, and purchasing local food in regions to reduce hunger and benet the local economy.

Miscellaneous:
These are programs that do not t under the other titles and range in focus with outreach efforts for disadvantaged, small, or beginning farmers and ranchers. Several programs focus on research and prevention of livestock diseases. Others encourage growth in the sheep industry and provide funding for the eradication of feral swine.

What Can You Do?

Get Involved
There are many different groups and organizations that keep track of the numerous issues that are involved in the making of a Farm Bill. These groups advocate for certain measures in each bill to ensure that the legislation best reects the needs of the people. By getting involved you can become part of the process and help inuence our public policy.

Contact Your Representatives

An elected ofcials job is to listen and best serve their constituency and the people. Sending them an email, letter, or calling is a great way to let them know what you think needs to be done.

Inform Others
Many people are still unaware of the Farm Bill and the impact it has on daily life. By sharing this information with others, you can help to mobilize people to call for change and make a difference in the process.

Advocacy Groups
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Food and Water Watch National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Organic Trade Association National Food Security Coalition Food Research and Action Center

Sources
Advocacy Tips: How A Bill Becomes A Law. Families USA. Families USA, n.d. Web 13 Dec. 2012 "Conservation Easements." Land Trust Alliance. Land Trust Alliance, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2012 Nestle, Marion. How to get involved: the Farm Bill. Food Politics. n.p. Web. 13 Farm Bill Study Guide. Farm Aid. Farm Aid, Dec. 2012 n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2012 How A Bill Becomes A Law. LexisNexis Congressional. LexisNexis, 1996. Web Image. 13 Dec. 2012
United States. Cong. Senate. Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 Summary. 112th Cong., 2nd sess. S. 3240. (As introduced in the Senate May 24, 2012). United States Senate Johnson, Renee, and Jim Monke. What Is The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, Farm Bill? National Agriculture Law and Forestry. Web. Center. Congressional Research Monke, Jim. Budgest Issues Shaping a 2012 Farm Bill. National Agriculture Law Center. Congressional Research Service, November 2, 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012

Service, October 3, 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012

Designed by Stephanie Latour