FARM BILL 2007 It affects us ALL

Farm Bill Overview Federal legislation authorizing and guiding our agriculture, rural development, soil and water conservation, and domestic food and foreign aid programs Farm Bill will expire in 2007 and must be re-authorized in 2007 Now is the time to begin discussing and developing strategies to address current and future needs USDA, PDA and others currently embarking on “listening sessions” designed to gather perspectives and priorities for 2007

2002 Farm Bill Goals Support the production of reliable, safe, and affordable supply of food and fiber Promote stewardship of land and water resources Facilitate access to American farm products here and abroad Encourage economic and infrastructure developments in rural America Ensure continued research to maintain an efficient and innovative agriculture and food sector Provide persons in need with access to food and an improved diet Source: USDA

Ten Farm Bill Titles I.Commodity Programs - income support for wheat, feed grains, cotton, rice, oilseeds, peanuts, sugar & dairy etc II.Conservation – EQIP, CRP, CREP, others III.Trade – develop and expand export markets IV.Nutrition – wide range of food programs: Food Stamps, school lunch, domestic nutrition programs, farmers’ market WIC coupons, commodity distribution, others V.Credit – loan programs for farmers and rural businesses

Ten Farm Bill Titles VI.Rural Development – rural business development, services, water and wastewater programs, value- added product development programs, others VII.Research – agricultural research and extension VIII.Forestry – Forest Service programs; Forest Land Enhancement, Sustainable Forestry Outreach, Community Based Forestry IX.Energy – research and development for bio-based fuels X.Miscellaneous – animal wealth and health programs, food safety, organic agriculture programs, country of origin labeling, crop insurance, disaster assistance, others

2002 Farm Bill - $782 Billion (Figures in millions, ) Source: CBO estimates

2002 Farm Bill Allocations – excluding Nutrition

Issues and Considerations Northeast received just 2.9% of commodity and 3.4% of conservation payments in 2002 bill Total funding is very likely to remain flat or fall –reallocation of current levels and priorities will be the key discussion focus! Numerous title-specific considerations

USDA Listening Sessions 1.Address unintended consequences and ensure that new and next generation farmers are not discouraged from entering farming? 2.Be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness? 3.Be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers? 4.Best achieve conservation and environmental goals? 5.Ensure that federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance to rural areas? 6.Ensure that ag product development, marketing and research related issues be addressed? How should farm policy:

PDA Listening Sessions Six USDA questions…plus How can PA best leverage state and federal investments in agriculture? Given PA’s unique programming needs, (e.g. specialty crop support, unique demographics, dependence on MILC etc.) how can we best ensure our needs are accounted for in the upcoming bill?

Research and Extension Considerations $1.56 Billion – approximately 1% of non- nutrition Farm Bill funding What should research and extension funding priorities be in the next 6 year period? How (and on what basis) should this funding be accessed and allocated? How can we best engage clientele and the public regarding FB discussions? What considerations should we be aware of? How best should we engage FB policy discussions in the coming year? What should our priorities be? What do the various funding scenarios mean for the Extension system? How can we best position ourselves to take advantage of these emerging considerations?

Other Issues and Considerations What are the most important long-term goals or outcomes that should guide the next farm bill? What are some of the most important emerging trends or needs in agriculture to which the next farm bill ought to respond? What are some of the most important emerging trends or needs in our communities to which the next farm bill ought to respond? What are some of the most important emerging consumer trends or needs to which the next farm bill ought to respond?