Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced), Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, today expressed optimism in response to the Bush Administration’s 2007 Farm Bill proposals. The plan - announced today by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns - follows years of efforts by Cardoza and Central Valley leaders, who have long argued that Specialty Crops deserve full participation in the Farm Bill.
The plan includes billions in funding for important research, nutrition, marketing and conservation programs for specialty crops (For details, go to: www.usda.gov). Rep. Cardoza and members of the Agriculture Committee will carefully review all of the proposals, which serve as a starting point in the formation of the sweeping bill.
“This proposal marks an historic moment for America’s specialty crop industry,” said Cardoza. “For the first time, the needs of specialty crop growers have be given a substantial role in the formation of a Farm Bill. In my many meetings with the Secretary, I have stressed the need for a more inclusive Farm Bill. I am pleased that he has responded to that call.
“While there are certainly key programs missing from their plan, overall I am encouraged that the Administration has included funding for a number of worthy specialty crop programs,” Cardoza added. “As details continue to emerge on the Administration’s suggested changes to EQIP, dairy, and traditional commodity programs, I remain committed to ensuring a prominent role for California agriculture.”
In the coming weeks, Cardoza plans to meet with Central Valley farmers to hear their recommendations on the formation of the Farm Bill.
Detailed information on the Administration’s Farm Bill Proposals can be found here:
Some Key Provisions of the Proposal Include:
- Improving the “Environmental Quality Incentives Program” to allow for a combination of treatments that effectively target complex agricultural landscape concerns, including air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.
- Providing $1 Billion For Research Programs Targeted To Specialty Crops. This initiative will include fundamental work in plant breeding, genetics and genomics to improve crop characteristics such as product appearance, environmental responses and tolerances, nutrient management and pest management.
- Providing $3.2 Billion to Improve Nutrition Assistance Programs By Purchasing More Fruits And Vegetables. This funding will support efforts by schools and other participants to offer meals based on the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans by increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables to students participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and to participants in other nutrition assistance programs.
- Increasing the Market Access Program by $250 Million. This initiative allows partnerships between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and non-profit domestic agricultural trade associations to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities such as consumer promotions and market research
