California Ag Network

Tag: Farm Bill

  • Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Announces Farm Bill Priorities

    Washington, D. C., (April 27, 2018) – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations, has announced its 2018 farm bill priorities focusing on programs for a healthier America heading into Wednesday’s U.S. House Agriculture Committee meeting on the Farm Bill. The SCFBA appreciates House Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway recognizing the importance of specialty crops in the initial draft of the legislation.

    The SCFBA legislative priorities include enhancing nutrition programs, continued support for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program, combatting invasive pests and diseases, and support for trade and research funding. In each case, these measures would assist the specialty crop industry’s ability to compete and grow in domestic and global markets.

    Specialty crop production, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery and greenhouse commodities, contributes significantly to the U.S economy, accounting for $66 billion in farm gate value and 33 percent of farm cash receipts for crops.

    The SCFBA was established to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop agriculture and improve the health of Americans by broadening the scope of U.S. agricultural public policy. It is co-chaired by the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, the National Potato Council and Western Growers Association.

    “Specialty crop producers across the nation are united in providing consumers with healthy eating options by expanding the consumption of fruits and vegetables, bolstering research and pest management and supporting grower initiatives to improve competitiveness,” said John Keeling, executive president and CEO of the National Potato Council. “For this work to continue, this next farm bill must address these priorities.”

    Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers Association, said, “SCFBA is advocating for a common set of priorities with this next farm bill, reflecting mutual objectives of U.S. growers and shippers across regions and commodities. We look forward to working with our allies in all specialty crop organizations who share many of our priorities, as well as with U.S. agriculture stakeholders.”

    Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, said, “We’re encouraged that lawmakers recognize the success of past farm bill investment in the specialty crop industry. We’re seeking their continued support for our growers who work every day to provide better access to higher quality and more affordable fruits and vegetables.”

    Robert Guenther, Senior Vice President of United Fresh Produce Association stated, “We are encouraged that support for fresh produce continues to be a priority for the committee. There are areas in this bill we would like to see improved but now more than ever, it will be vital for Congress to come together on both sides of the aisle in a bi-partisan manner which historically occurs to provide the support the industry needs.”

    In a letter to the House Agriculture Committee today, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance urged the following actions:

    Enhance funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) – The SCRI was established in 2008 to address the critical research needs of the specialty crop industry. Since then, 288 research projects for specialty crops have been funded, enhancing the industry’s competitive prominence in the domestic and international marketplace. SCRI is one of the most oversubscribed research programs; current funding allows for only 10 percent of the requested projects to be funded. SCFBA urges the House Agriculture Committee to dedicate $105 million annually for the SCRI program.

    Continue the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program at a full $9 million annually.Authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, TASC addresses technological barriers that prohibit or threaten the exports of U.S. specialty crops. TASC has been responsible for more than 275 grants to address these barriers even though it has only been funded at $9 million. A new ruling by the Office of Management and Budget means all new programs will lose their baseline funding by Sept. 30. SCFBA urges the House Agriculture Committee to ensure full funding in a reauthorized farm bill or if the current farm bill is extended.

    Increase funding to combat invasive pests and diseases. The specialty crop industry strongly supports efforts to protect the domestic market from the increasing threat of harmful plant pests and diseases entering the United States. The farm bill has provided funding and direction for innovative initiatives that help identify and mitigate offshore threats and improve pest detection and rapid response. More than 1,700 projects have been funded since this program’s inception in the 2008 Farm Bill. SCFBA urges the House Agriculture Committee to continue supporting these programs at $75 million annually, with the goal of enhancing its funding in five years by a modest $7.5 million to fund the National Clean Plant Network.

    Ensure healthy eating in low-income families. The farm bill has funded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, which will reach more than 4 million low-income elementary students nationwide this year.SCFBA urges the House Agriculture Committee to maintain the intent of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program while clarifying all forms of fruits and vegetables are permissible only when there are hardships preventing access to fresh.

    In addition, the SCFBA supports continued funding for the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), focused on retailers that operate year-round and have more accessible hours to maximize the opportunity for healthy food purchases. The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives (FINI) grant program focuses on SNAP families who spend 80 percent of their benefits with participating retailers. The SCFBA believes this program should only include fruits and vegetables. SCFBA supports the House Agriculture Committees efforts to increase FINI funding levels.

    Continue strong funding of Specialty Crop Block Grants.  One of the key aspects of the last two farm bills was the extension of the Specialty Crop Block Grant program through fiscal year 2018. The program is a much-needed effort to help specialty crop producer’s balance the challenges and uncertainties of agriculture production with improvements to their products and the access consumers have to those products.

    Increase access to foreign markets. Specialty crop growers face significant obstacles in the development of export markets and unique challenges because of the perishable nature of their products. The Market Access Program (MAP) assists producers in their efforts to create, expand and maintain access to foreign markets. The Alliance strongly supports continuing key programs that address sanitary, phytosanitary and marketing barriers to the export of U.S. specialty crops. SCFBA encourages the House Agriculture Committee to increase funding for the MAP program in the next Farm Bill.

  • Farm Bill Discussions Will Affect All Californians

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 18, 2018) – Noting that programs in new federal farm legislation have the potential to benefit everyone in California, the leader of the California Farm Bureau Federation welcomed today’s release of draft legislation by the House Agriculture Committee. The release marks a key milestone in updating the multi-year farm bill that expires Sept. 30.

    “Although it’s known as the farm bill, the legislation truly touches on everyone—first of all, because everyone eats, but also because of the conservation, research, trade and other programs it contains,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “Representing farmers and ranchers in the nation’s No. 1 farm state, Farm Bureau will advocate for programs of particular importance to California’s diverse agricultural landscape.”

    For example, he said, as farmers throughout the state struggle to hire enough people to harvest crops, CFBF will seek increased research into technology to mechanize farming tasks.

    “Agricultural innovation benefits not only farmers and their employees, but also people who work at California technology companies and universities seeking to make mechanization more practical,” Johansson said. “The farm bill also encourages development of new food and agricultural products that create new opportunities throughout the economy.”

    Johansson said Farm Bureau will seek continued and enhanced commitment to farm bill programs that promote environmental stewardship.

    “Current farm bill programs have helped farmers, ranchers and foresters promote air, water and soil health, and those programs should remain a priority,” he said. “The new farm bill should also enhance programs to expand access to developing foreign markets. Those programs lead to jobs in rural California but also in urban settings such as ports, marketing firms and export companies.”

    Discussions of farm-bill issues will likely continue for the next several months, Johansson said, adding that Farm Bureau “will remain active in advocating for farm and nutrition programs that will serve Californians for years to come.”

  • CDFA to Receive $14.8 million in Farm Bill Funding for Pest Projects

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 27, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $14.8 million to California from Section 10007 of the 2014 Farm Bill as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing nearly $70 million in funding this year that will support 494 projects across the country.

    “We are pleased to partner with California to provide critical Farm Bill funds that will put innovative ideas into action and help us overcome our shared invasive pest and disease challenges,” said USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach. “California is a critical partner in protecting U.S. agriculture. These projects will enable California to protect its own resources, and, in doing so, contribute to USDA’s mission of keeping our nation’s agriculture economy healthy and strong.”

    These funds will support projects covering a range of plant health and pest mitigation activities, including the following:

    • $4.3 million to survey for harmful exotic fruit fly populations in the State;
    • $3.5 million to support the activities of California’s agricultural detector dog teamssearching for harmful, exotic plant pests in packages at mail and express parcel delivery facilities;
    • $1.8 million to support National Clean Plant Network foundation plant stocks for citrus, grapes, fruit trees, sweet potato, and roses;
    • $1.7 million to support California’s Emergency Plant Health Response Teams for responding to, delimiting the infestation area, and managing outbreaks of exotic plant pests;
    • $1.3 million for survey activities for plant pests such as Asian defoliator moths, Khapra beetle, and pests harmful to citrus, stone fruit, and palm commodities;
    • $1.1 million to develop or enhance plant pest and disease diagnostic and identification technologies for exotic fruit flies, cyst forming nematodes, downy mildew, and others;
    • $740,000 to develop best management practices for pest and disease mitigation at ornamental nurseries;
    • $260,000 to identify and use predatory insects as biological control tools for the insect pests Bagrada bug and shot hole borer;
    • $80,000 to support improvement of Varroa mite resistant commercial honey bee stocks; and
    • $9,000 for the development of molecular tools for the detection of gall forming nematodes in the family Anguinidae.

    USDA has provided approximately $263 million in Section 10007 funds to support more than 2,200 projects since the 2014 Farm Bill was enacted. Collectively, these projects continue to bolster our country’s safeguarding system while allowing USDA and its partners to quickly detect and rapidly respond to invasive pests and diseases. You can view the FY 2018 spending plans on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/farmbill.

    APHIS created the Hungry Pests public outreach program to empower Americans with the knowledge they need to leave these “hungry pests” behind. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/pestsdiseases/hungrypests to learn more about invasive plant pests and diseases impacting your area and how you can help.

  • A Farm Bill for our planet

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 12, 2017) – CDFA is in the midst of preparing California’s recommendations for the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is renewed every five years and serves as the policy guideline for food and farming in the United States. The legislation touches all of us in numerous ways, as this series of blog posts explains in greater detail.

    The formula is simple — a healthy planet means healthier, more productive farms.  California’s farmers and ranchers embrace this concept every day. By leveraging the tools provided in the 2014 Farm Bill, California has led the way in on-farm conservation practices, combating climate change, improving habitats, and protecting wildlife. Consider these facts when thinking about California agriculture and its role in protecting habitat life and the environment:

    • 75 percent of California’s private farmland supports wildlife
    • Our climate smart agricultural practices help save an estimated 546,950 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually (That’s the equivalent of removing 12,000 vehicles from our roads!)
    • By acting as a carbon sink, one acre of California rice can remove up to 23,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
    • Efficient irrigation systems  help save 12.2 billion gallons of water per year

    The continued success of environmental stewardship and sustainable management practices depends on a partnership with the federal government. Support for programs in the Conservation and Energy titles of the Farm Bill are instrumental in maintaining the health and productivity of our agricultural lands. Here are some more details about the specific titles and how they assist our farmers and ranchers in maintaining a healthy planet:

    The Conservation Title is the heart and soul of the Farm Bill’s environmental programs.  It authorizes funding for several conservation programs, including the Conversation Reserve Program, (the CRP), the Environmental Quality Inventive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

    Although each of these programs has varying goals and funding, their prerogatives are similar – promote environmental stewardship while protecting the environment.  One program in particular, EQIP, has been particularly successful in allowing California farmers and ranchers to leverage federal assistance to promote a variety of environmental projects. These include improving air quality, addressing wildlife habitats within the California Bay-Delta Central Valley watershed, supporting beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers, and creating on-farm energy plans.

    The Farm Bill’s Energy Title allows farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country to use renewable energy to power their homes while also supporting their agricultural operations.  In California, programs like the Rural Energy for America (REAP) has provided funding to support solar and energy efficiency projects across the state.

    The energy title allows California’s specialty crops to also play a role in biofuel research development.  Programs like the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), Biomass Research and Development Initiative, and the Bio Refinery Assistance Program (BAP) allow California commodities like almonds and walnuts to be included as potential sources for biofuel.  A recent study found that a blend of almond biodiesel with regular diesel fuel reduced greenhouse gas and total particulate emissions, when compared to diesel fuel alone.  This sort of research is not only promising, it also demonstrates how California farmers and ranchers will continue to play a vital role in supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship in the years ahead.

    A future farm bill must remain committed to supporting, developing and embracing robust conservation practices. As the country’s leader in the fight against climate change, California farmers and ranchers will continue to utilize the tools provided in the Farm Bill to maintain the health and quality of their operations, while also improving the environment around them.

     

  • A Farm Bill For Our Families

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 23, 2017) – CDFA is in the midst of preparing California’s recommendations for the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is renewed every five years and serves as the policy guideline for food and farming in the United States. The legislation touches all of us in numerous ways, as this series of blog posts will explain in greater detail.

    The Farm Bill affects well-being of families across the country, including right here in California, by helping to facilitate access to nutritious foods. With the support of the Farm Bill, California is committed to increasing food access for our most vulnerable and food-insecure communities. According to some estimates, up-to 20 percent of Californians are at risk of food insecurity, including more than two-million children, and more than one-million residents live in “food deserts,” where they lack access to basic grocery stores stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. As the country’s largest producer of specialty crops, we must work to change that. Two titles in the Farm Bill – Nutrition and Horticulture – are helping us reach this goal.

    Nutrition

    The first of these titles is Title 4, or the Nutrition title. As the largest piece of the Farm bill pie (Nutrition accounts for over 80 percent of Farm Bill spending), the Nutrition title creates the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP is the country’s largest food safety net program, and it helps millions of American families. In California, SNAP is known as CalFresh, and it provides nearly 4.2 million Californians with benefits. This support program also stimulates the economy. According to the USDA, every dollar invested in SNAP generates $1.79 in economic activity. Alongside SNAP, the Nutrition title also provides:

    • $200 million for job training to help Americans get back on their feet
    • $125 million for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative to help bridge the gap between underserved communities and healthy food retailers
    • $100 million in incentives to increase fresh fruit and vegetable purchases
    • An additional $250 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program to help low- income families and senior citizens access food.

    Specialty Crops – Numerous studies suggest that lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables (specialty crops) can result in negative health impacts, including higher rates of diabetes and obesity. Through the Horticulture title, Title 10, the Farm Bill provides California with the support it needs for growth in the specialty crops sector through a variety of approaches, including the creation of promotional programs.

    One example of this is “California Food for California Kids: Promoting California Grown Fruits and Vegetables in Summer Meals”. This program, established through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program(SCBGP), promotes the quality and benefits of healthy, freshly prepared meals made with California grown fruits and vegetables. Specialty crop programs receive:

    • $30 million to increase the consumption of locally and regionally produced agricultural products
    • $72.5 million to the SCBGP to support marketing, pest management and food safety efforts
    • $11.5 to the Organic Cost Share program to assist organic producers in their certification efforts

    Both of these Farm Bill titles are instrumental in ensuring that Californians as well as all Americans have access to nutritious, safe and healthy food. California is the country’s number-one producer of specialty crops. Our farmers and ranchers are committed to producing fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables that have positive impacts for our families.

  • A Farm Bill for our future

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 16, 2017) – CDFA is in the midst of preparing California’s recommendations for the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is renewed every five years and serves as the policy guideline for food and farming in the United States. The legislation touches all of us in numerous ways, as this blog post and others to follow in a series will explain in greater detail.

    The Farm Bill is essential for agriculture in the present time, but it also plays a vital role in shaping our future.  It helps fund research and education programs; it supports the development of our rural communities; and, significantly, it serves as a guide for young and beginning farmers who will carry the torch of California agriculture.

    New and Beginning Farmers

    California’s agricultural future depends on our next generation of farmers and ranchers willing to take on the responsibility. It’s not an easy job.  The average age of farmers is trending upwards. Some estimates suggest that between now and 2018, there will be an 8 percent drop in the total number of farmers and ranchers. We need people to choose farming and ranching. The current Farm Bill has helped by providing:

    • $100 million for the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program to offer and develop education, training, mentoring and outreach programs.
    • Increased access to capital dollars to help new and beginning farmers start their operations with confidence.
    • Reduced rates on crop insurance premiums for the first 5 years of farming

    Research and Education

    As home to the world’s best universities and research facilities, California has always led the way in developing cutting-edge research to help our farms, our food and our families. Historically, support from the Farm Bill has allowed us to excel at innovation. For example, federal research dollars have helped:

    • Improve the environment through the adoption of climate smart agriculture technologies.
    • Fight the spread of pests and diseases by developing new eradication methods and resistant fruit and vegetable plants.
    • Fund nutritional research, leading to peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the health benefits of fruits, vegetables and nuts.
    • Increase food safety training.
    • Quantify the benefits of on-farm climate-smart farming practices.

    Rural Development

    California’s rural communities are the backbone of our agricultural economy. They provide the ingenuity, perseverance and resources that allow California to thrive. The rural development title in the current Farm Bill helps support these communities by:

    • Providing over $150 million for water and waste water infrastructure and emergency relief.
    • Supporting rural business development and creating employment opportunities through small-business entrepreneurship programs and capital investment.
    • Expanding broadband connectivity to reach areas that lack adequate internet access.

    Ensuring the continued success of rural communities is vital to our success as a state. The Farm Bill helps build the foundation to keep these communities thriving for years to come.

    The future of California agriculture will undoubtedly face challenges, but it will also present substantial opportunity. The Farm Bill is there to help with both. California is ready to continue leading the way in agricultural innovation, quality and safety.

  • CDFA Secretary Karen Ross To Host Farm Bill Listening Sessions – Seeking Public Comments On California’s Agricultural Priorities

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 24, 2017) – California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is holding several public forums across the state seeking input from farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders on priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill.

    “The farm bill is as important to San Francisco and Los Angeles as it is to the Central Valley,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This legislation ensures a robust farm safety net, promotes farming and ranching practices that are environmentally sound and provides important nutritional funding for our citizens. How our California Congressional delegation helps to shape the federal farm bill will result in positive investments to our communities, our health and agricultural economy.”

    The current farm bill, the Agricultural Act of 2014 will expire next year necessitating action by Congress. The farm bill provides an estimated $489 billion in federal funding nationwide to support a variety of food and agricultural programs including crop insurance, conservation, nutrition and trade.

    California Farm Bill Listening Sessions:

    • Modesto – Tuesday, February 7th (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.)

    DoubleTree Hotel (Napa Room)

    1150 Ninth Street   
Modesto, CA 95354

     

    • Chico – Wednesday, February 8th (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.)

    Silver Dollar Fair (Harvest Hall)

    2357 Fair Street
Chico, CA 95928

     

    • Tulare (World Ag Expo) – Thursday, February 16th (Noon – 3:00p.m.)

    International Agri-Center Heritage Complex (Theater)

    4500 S. Laspina Street
Tulare, CA 93274

     

    • Salinas – Wednesday, February 22nd (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.)

    Monterey County Farm Bureau

    1140 Abbott Street, Suite C.
Salinas, CA 93901

     

    • Los Angeles – Thursday, February 23rd (1:00 – 3:00 p.m.)

    Los Angeles Trade Technical College (Meeting Room: TBD)

    400 West Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

     

    The 2018 Farm Bill Listening Sessions are a public forum allowing individuals input on California’s priorities for the upcoming farm bill. Provided comments will be used to help develop recommendations on the farm bill that will be shared with California’s Congressional delegation and the leadership of the Senate and House agricultural committees.

    Public comments can also be emailed to FarmBill@cdfa.ca.gov