As I sit here and write this it’s National FFA week. FFA members across the nation are celebrating and promoting an organization that will impact their lives forever.
As an FFA member, I looked forward to FFA week each year. Our chapter, like many others, kicked off each FFA week by attending a local church as a chapter wearing our blue corduroy jackets. The week was filled with such events has a businessmen’s breakfast, hillbilly day, tractor day, Food for America activities and much more.
FFA week took a lot of planning and sometimes required a lot of extra hours spent in the ag building but it was all worth it in the end. One of my personal favorite activities of the week was the Food for America program. Food for America gave our members the opportunity to teach elementary students where their food comes from. Many times we would have hands-on demonstrations and bring farm animals to school, plus there was food to enjoy. I really loved educating others about the importance of agriculture and still do today.
Speaking of the importance of agriculture… Finally, after a year and a half of uncertainty for farmers, the House and the Senate have reached a compromise and the President has signed into law the Agriculture Act of 2014, known as the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. The 900 plus-page document is a little intimidating and hard to comprehend if you ask me, but after a lot of research I think I have a pretty good handle on what is and is not included in the new Farm Bill.
As many of you know, this is the first time since 2012 that we’ve have a five-year comprehensive Farm Bill. In a nutshell, the 2014 Farm Bill will not only save taxpayers $23 billion dollars, but it is said to provide new opportunities and job creation; expand markets for ag products at home and overseas; strengthen conservation efforts; create new opportunities for local and regional food systems; provide a dependable safety net for farmers; and allow everyone access to safe and nutritious food.
One of the biggest policy changes in the new Farm Bill is the end of direct payment subsides. Instead of a subsidy program, the 2014 Farm bill will take on a risk management approach that provides support for farmers only when they are hit with natural disasters or market volatility. The bill will strengthen crop insurance.
Another cost cutting measure is the consolidation of farm programs. The 2014 Farm Bill consolidates or eliminates nearly 100 programs. The idea behind consolidation was to eliminate duplication in many programs. This includes direct payments to farmers.
Many dairy farmers have been eagerly awaiting the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill. The new bill repeals outdated and ineffective dairy programs. The main feature is the Dairy Producer Margin Protection Program. The Margin Protection Program will provide dairy producers, if they choose to be involved with the program, with indemnity payments when actual dairy margins are below the margin coverage levels the producer chooses on an annual basis. The new program is to be in place no later than September 1, 2014.
Other things included in the Farm Bill is the strengthening of programs that focus on fruits, vegetables and organic crops. The bill supports organic research funding, data collection and assists farmers transitioning into organic agriculture. The bill will also strengthen support for farmers markets and local food enterprises.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated, “While no legislation is perfect, this bill is a strong investment in American agriculture and supports the continued global leadership of our farmers and ranchers.”
If you’re anything like me, this is a lot to take in and understand. In efforts of helping our readers understand how the 2014 Farm Bill will impact Ozarks’ farmers we will reach out to local experts and run an in depth article on the subject in our March 31, 2014 issue.
Best wishes,
