WASHINGTON – The House and Senate this week passed a final Farm Bill to strengthen American agriculture, help families facing high food costs and make substantial commitments to land conservation and energy independence.  U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted in support of the bill, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which passed the House and Senate by veto-proof margins.  The bill will soon be sent to the president’s desk.

“The agreement the House and Senate have reached is a fair and balanced bill that gives family farmers the support they need while also working to help address skyrocketing food prices facing households across the country by diversifying alternative energy sources,” Stupak said. “This bill will make rural America stronger, move our nation toward energy independence and help end hunger in our country.”

Stupak said the Farm Bill provides much needed support for agricultural producers, providing a strong safety net for Michigan farmers.  It would provide $446 million over 10 years for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which supports research, marketing, education, pest and disease management and food safety for specialty crops like cherries, apples and asparagus.  In addition, the bill would take significant steps to support Michigan’s sugar producers.  The legislation imposes real payment limitations that crack down on subsidies, saves more than a half billion dollars and redirects funds to working family farmers.

Mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) was also included in the bill, which will help Michigan agriculture producers compete at home and internationally. 

“Over the past 17 months, through the hearings I have held on food safety in the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have shown how important it is for consumers to know where the food on their table comes from,” Stupak said.

Stupak praised provisions in the bill that would strengthen America’s forestry industry, by providing financial and technical assistance for restoring land damaged by wildfire, storms, insects, disease and other natural disasters through the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.  The bill also directs states to conduct assessments of forest resources and develop long-term forest management strategies.

“Forestry is vital to the northern Michigan economy, so I am pleased to see that this legislation makes promoting and revitalizing America’s forests a priority,” Stupak added.

The legislation also includes critical provisions that support efforts to make the nation energy independent. The bill makes investments in renewable energy programs, providing $320 million in loan guarantees for the development of refineries that process renewable fuels, a key step toward bringing more renewable fuels to market in America.  The bill also provides $300 million for production incentives for ethanol and biodiesel made from agricultural, forest and waste plant materials, reducing demand for corn-based ethanol which is believed to be a contributing factor to rising food costs.

“Our nation needs to shift away from relying on energy sources produced in the Middle East to utilize energy sources produced in the Midwest,” Stupak said.  “This legislation will take important strides towards that goal.”

Stupak also noted that the legislation reauthorizes the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) broadband program, a program that Stupak originally authored to provide loans and grants to facilitate the rollout of rural telecommunications.  The Farm Bill would improve the program, ensuring the funding goes to communities that are truly rural. 

“Bringing broadband to rural America will mean economic growth, job creation and greater educational opportunities for northern Michigan,” Stupak said.  “The Farm Bill will help spread the telecommunications revolution to all corners of our country.”

Stupak said the legislation includes a number of broader programs aimed at assisting rural communities. 

“This bill renews the Water and Waste Disposal Grants and Wastewater Circuit Rider Programs to help rural communities improve wastewater disposal and drinking water systems,” Stupak noted. 

The legislation also authorizes the Rural Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Assistance Program to help improve emergency medical services in rural areas.  The bill also creates a new grant program to help rural health facilities improve health information technology and care quality.

Stupak also noted that the Farm Bill would extend the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides mothers, children, infants and seniors healthy food to supplement their diets.  Last year, more than 80,000 Michigan residents relied upon the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to enhance their diets.

The bill would also promote healthy food choices by increasing funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides fresh produce to schools, and continues the USDA Snack Program to help schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities.