Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of HR 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007, better known as the Farm Bill.  This measure reflects Rhode Island’s priorities: protecting our farmers and surrounding environment and caring for the most vulnerable members of society.

There has been much discussion about reforming the Farm Bill, particularly with regard to how payments are structured to producers of certain commodities like cotton, rice and sugar.  HR 2419 begins this process by lowering the annual adjusted gross income of farmers eligible for subsidies from $2.5 million to $1 million.  For farmers making $500,000 to $1 million, 67% of their income must come from farming or they cannot receive federal subsidies.  This structure will prevent millionaires from receiving farm subsidy benefits, and will also make payments transparent.  While I believe we should go further with reform, I look forward to building on this restructuring in future legislation.

This legislation increases funding for important conservation programs for Rhode Island, including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.  I am also pleased that HR 2419 includes funding for specialty crops, which will benefit our fruit, vegetable and nursery crop farmers.  These farmers, which make up a large percentage of Rhode Island’s farming landscape, will now receive equal assistance and access to conservation programs. 

HR 2419 increases funding for the nutrition title, which includes food stamps and other programs aimed to combat hunger and improve nutrition for children, the elderly and low-income Americans.  This bill reauthorizes programs such as the Community Food Projects program, which awards grants to non-profit groups that establish community food projects targeted to low-income individuals.  This measure also increases funding for school nutrition programs for purchasing fruits, vegetables and nuts, and creates more avenues for produce to flow from local farmers to schools. 

Finally, HR 2419 also encourages the expansion of renewable energy research and production, contains a new section for horticulture and organic agriculture, and includes funding to make sure our food supply is safe and stable.  Madam Speaker, this legislation helps farmers meet growing environmental challenges, gives consumers more healthy food choices, and promotes critical renewable energy development.  I look forward to passing this measure into law.