“This bill guarantees our farmers and ranchers the basic structure of the 2002 Farm Bill by ensuring critical support for American farm families and recognizing the vital role they play in this country,” Ross said.  “I am proud that we have passed a fiscally-responsible Farm Bill based on policy that has proven to be both effective and efficient.”   

Ross, who was instrumental in helping craft and pass the 2002 Farm Bill, fought hard during the debate in Congress this year to maintain the same basic structure of the 2002 legislation.  Specifically, he pointed to the vital safety net it provides farm families within the commodity title through direct payments, counter-cyclical payments and marketing loans.

“For the past 70 years, through a comprehensive Farm Bill, Congress has ensured that this nation was provided a safe and abundant food supply while also ensuring financial security through a reliable safety net for our farmers and farm families,” Ross said.  “This Farm Bill provides strong programs that will help American farmers meet the food, fiber and energy needs of the 21^st Century, and I am confidant that our farm families will be presented with many new opportunities through this comprehensive Farm Bill.” 

Ross strongly supported the inclusion of measures in the Farm Bill that would expand renewable fuel production needed to encourage American energy independence.  Ross said that the legislation would provide $2 billion in loan guarantees for the development of refineries that process renewable fuels, and $1.5 billion for production incentives for ethanol and biodiesel made from agricultural, forest, and waste plant materials.

“This Farm Bill will not only benefit our farmers but every American who has to pay at the pump,” Ross said.  “It provides a serious investment in renewable energy initiatives and lays out a blue print that will put this nation on a road towards energy independence.  This crucial focus on the future will ultimately create exciting new markets for Arkansas farmers.”     

In addition, the Farm Bill improves funding and access to conservation programs that take environmentally sensitive land out of farming and encourage environmentally friendly practices on working farmland.  It also seeks to reach out to segments of agriculture that have been underserved, including specialty crop producers and beginning and minority farmers and ranchers.

Next month, Ross will host a regional agriculture town hall meeting with Rep. Bob Etheridge of North Carolina, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management of the House Agriculture Committee, at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on the 2007 Farm Bill.  Ross’s important town hall meeting is open to the public and will be held on Friday, August 24^th, at 10:00 a.m. in the Capitol Room of the University Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. 

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