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2014 Farm Bill: Opportunities for Food Policy

2014 Farm Bill: Opportunities for Food Policy. Joe Shultz Chief Economist U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Why Ohio?. 14 million acres of Ohio is farmland (up from 5 years ago) 75,000 farmers in Ohio Ohio’s Farms are Diverse

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2014 Farm Bill: Opportunities for Food Policy

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  1. 2014 Farm Bill: Opportunities for Food Policy

  2. Joe Shultz Chief EconomistU.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

  3. Why Ohio? • 14 million acres of Ohio is farmland (up from 5 years ago) • 75,000 farmers in Ohio • Ohio’s Farms are Diverse • 31,000 farmers raise grains or oilseeds • 20,000 raise cattle • 18,000 grow hay • 6,000 have poultry or eggs • 5,000 raise sheep or goats • 4,000 grow fruits, nuts, vegetables, or potatoes • 3,000 raise hogs or pigs • 3,000 have dairies • 2/3 of Ohio farmers have less than $25,000 in gross sales

  4. Land Cover Map of United States

  5. Outline • 2014 Farm Bill • Farm Bill Budget • Supporting Underserved Farmers • Opportunities for Local Food Systems • Specialty Crops and Organics • Healthy Food in Nutrition Programs • Farm Bill Process and Advocacy • Questions

  6. Farm Bill Spending • $23 Billion in total cuts • $19 billion saved in Commodities • $8 billion saved in Nutrition • $6 billion saved in Conservation • $5 billion added to Crop Insurance • $5 billion added to Clean Energy, Local Food, Fruits & Vegetables, Organics, Research, etc.

  7. 2014 Farm Bill Invests over $2 Billion for Local Food, Fruits & Vegetables, Organics Local, Healthy Food Promotion $286 Speciality Crop Block Grants $270 Insurance for Fruits, Organics (cost-share, Vegetables, and Organics research, etc) $384 $239 Plant Pest and Disease Specialty Crop Research $193 Initiative $745

  8. Expands Opportunities for Local Food Systems • Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion • More than tripled funding from 2008 Farm Bill • Allows for infrastructure projects like food hubs • Community Food Projects • Nearly doubles funding from 2008 Farm Bill to $9 million per year, targets innovative non-profits in underserved regions • Healthy Food Financing Initiative • New in 2014 Farm Bill • Creates revolving loan programs to support fresh healthy food retailers in “food deserts”

  9. Opportunities for Local Food Systems, cont… • Value Added Producer Grants • More than quadruples funding from 2008 bill from 15 million to 63 million over 5 years • Improving Access to USDA Loans • Directs USDA to develop a methodology for valuing local-regional produce that better reflects for their product • Local Food Data Initiative • Directs USDA to collect data on the production and marketing of local and regional food • Food and Ag Service Learning Initiative

  10. Support Underserved Farmers • Immediate Disaster Assistance • Whole-Farm Business Insurance • 25% Discount for Beginning Farmers • Improve Insurance for Organic Producers • Priority R&D for New Insurance Products

  11. Support for Fruits and Vegetables • Specialty Crop Block Grants • Additional $270 million for projects that benefit both producers and consumers • Specialty Crop Research Initiative • Largest increase in funding for universities to coordinate key research initiatives (citrus greening) • Consolidates USDA Plant Pest and Disease Management Programs

  12. Organics • Organic Research and Extension Initiative • Increase from $78 million to $100 million over 5 years • National Organic Certification Cost Share • More than doubles funding from 2008 Farm Bill to nearly $60 million over 5 years • National Organic Program • $75 million for the National Organic Program to enforce standards and accredit certifiers so that the integrity of the organic seal is preserved

  13. Healthy Choices in SNAP • Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grants “Double-Up Food Bucks” • Allows SNAP benefits for CSA shares • Improves Quality of Food at SNAP Retailers • Continues Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

  14. What are people saying? • “Within the bill is a significant shift in the types of farmers who are now benefiting from taxpayer dollars, reflecting a decade of changing eating habits and cultural dispositions among American consumers. Organic farmers, fruit growers and hemp producers all did well in the new bill. An emphasis on locally grown, healthful foods appeals to a broad base of their constituents, members of both major parties said.” • New York Times • March 8th, 2014) • “While no Farm Bill is perfect, this bill continues support for critical programs and advances innovations that will support small and mid-scale farmers and help more low-income families access healthy and affordable foods in their communities...” • Dr. Oran Hesterman • Fair Food Network • February 5th 2014

  15. Timeline of the 2014 Farm Bill Nov 2011 June 2013 May 2011 Farm Bill discussions in Joint Select Committee for Deficit Reduction “Super Committee” President signs Conference Report into law. Senate Passage of 2013 Farm Bill Senate’s 1st Hearing on Farm Bill 2011 1 2 8 April 2012 June 2012 Senate Cmte Markup of 2012 Farm Bill House Cmte Markup of 2012 Farm Bill Senate Passage of 2012 Farm Bill 4 3 Jan 2013 May 2013 July 2013 House Passage of 2013 Farm Bill (No nutrition title) Senate Cmte Markup of 2013 Farm Bill House Cmte Markup of 2013 Farm Bill 1-year extension of most Farm Bill Programs 7 6 5 5 Feb 7, 2014 Jan 2014 House Passes Conference Report Senate Passes Conference Report 8 9 Today

  16. Thank you. Questions?

  17. 75,000 farms in Ohio - holding steady for the last 5 yearsNearly 14 million acres actually up slightlyAverage farm is 185 acresRoughly $50,000 of those farms make less than 25,000 in gross sales...not nearly enough to support a familyRoughly 25 K Ohio farmers are commercial scale, the biggest category 10,000 plus make between 100K and 500K gross.31,000 are crop farmers ---grains, oilseeds, #120,000 are cattle farmers #518,000 grow hay #76,000 have poultry or eggs #25,000 have sheep or goats3,000 plus have dairies #33,000 plus have hogs or pigs #41,500 have fruits, nuts, and berries 2,400 have veggies, melons, potatoes, etc. #66,553 account for 75 percent of all sales

  18. Conservation Programs Easements ACEP Two parts:Agricultural Land Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements CRP Significant savings by stair-stepping program from 27.5 million to 24 million acres by 2018 Partnerships RCPP consolidates four partnership programs Working Lands EQIP CSP Sodsaver

  19. Joe Shultz Chief EconomistU.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

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