Chilly reception

I was at the House Agriculture Committee press conference today, and chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., along with ranking member Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., said they will begin
subcommittee markups for the farm bill during the week of May 21. Each subcommittee will conduct markups on the Farm Bill titles under its jurisdiction. A press release said the markups will continue in June, following the Memorial Day recess.
"Our goal is to develop a Farm Bill that has effective policies for supporting farm income, resource conservation, rural economic development, a healthy fruit and vegetable sector, feeding and nutrition programs, and energy independence."

The House Ag Committee news release says a preliminary discussion draft for the conservation title of the Farm Bill was released today. It is available online at:http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/legislation.html. Additional preliminary discussion drafts will be posted on the Agriculture Committee website as they become available.The Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research will hold a markup on Tuesday, May 22.

Senator Tom Harkin was not pleased with the money that the House Agriculture Committee is outlining for conservation programs. Peterson's refusal to find new money for the conservation programs does not necessarily bode well for produce industry priorities like national expansion of the fruit and vegetable program and the specialty crop block grants.