SCFBA - strongly supports farm bill

Getting an overwhelming vote for the farm bill is the goal of industry lobbyists now. Fighting for $3 billion....from the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance:

SPECIALTY CROP FARM BILL ALLIANCE STRONGLY SUPPORTS FARM BILL CONFERENCE REPORT

Report contains historic investments for specialty crop producers and address key policy priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations representing 350 individual specialty crops, announced their strong support for the Farm Bill Conference Report which was filed today by the House and Senate Farm Bill Conferees. The report contains approximately $3 billion in funding for specialty crop priorities and addresses important specialty crop policy recommendations that will enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop producers in this country. Specialty crop producers do not receive direct payments or subsidies from the federal government.
“This Farm Bill makes a tremendous investment in specialty crop priorities by dedicating approximately $3 billion in funding for our priorities. Specialty crop producers will be encouraging their lawmakers in Washington to support this legislation when it’s considered before the House and Senate this week. We also applaud the determination by the House and Senate leadership along with the conferees in both chambers for maintaining their commitment to specialty crop producers across the nation.”

The legislation recognizes important SCFBA priorities based on infrastructure investments through enhanced state competitiveness grants, targeted research programs, increased access to fruits and vegetables through federal nutrition programs, improved pest and disease programs, expanded international market access, and increased access to conservation programs.

Specialty Crop Funding Highlights

$1.02 billion - Expands the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states. The nationwide expansion of the Snack Program will develop life-long healthy eating habits for millions of children by providing fresh fruits and vegetables in our nation’s schools.

$466 million – Enhances “Specialty Crop Block Grants” that focus on local efforts to enhance producers’ ability to compete in the marketplace and provide consumers with safe, abundant food.

$ 377 million – Creates a new Pest and Disease Program focused on combating invasive pests and disease, which cost the economy billions of dollars a year.

$230 million – Establishes the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to develop and disseminate science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops and their regions.

Specialty Crop Policy Highlights

Successfully adds “processing (packing), storing and transportation” to the approved list of on-farm income related to the AGI (adjusted gross income) conservation programs.

Prioritizes federal research activities for specialty crops.

Requires the Secretary to conduct a census of specialty crops to assist in the development and dissemination of specialty crop information.

Improves provision for technical assistance under conservation programs