Etheridge urges house to pass Farm Bill


Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a new five-year Farm Bill approved by the Agriculture Committee Thursday, July 19. Etheridge is the Chair of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Etheridge pressed his colleagues to support the Farm Bill, which could be on the House floor as soon as Thursday. The bill keeps intact the basic farm safety net, while making some reforms. It also makes historic investments in conservation, rural development, energy and specialty crops like fruits and vegetables.

“The Farm Bill the committee has passed will ensure American agriculture continues to produce quality affordable food for the American people. Too many folks think food comes from the grocery store. We in farm country know that our food comes from American agriculture,” said Etheridge.

“I urge my colleagues in the House to preserve the basic safety net that is included in the committee’s bill. This will benefit not just farm country, but everyone who relies on American agriculture to feed their families.”

Important highlights of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) include:

  • More than $1.6 billion to strengthen the fruit and vegetable industry. A new section for Horticulture and Organic Agriculture includes nutrition, research, pest management and trade promotion programs.
  • Making important new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in rural America.
  • Investing in rural development initiatives, including economic development programs and access to broadband telecommunication services.
  • Providing farmers participating in commodity programs with a choice between traditional price protection and new market-oriented revenue coverage payments.
  • Rebalancing loan rates and target prices among commodities, achieving greater regional equity.
  • Cutting federal payment rates to crop insurance companies that are making record profits due to higher crop prices.
  • Extending and making significant new investments in popular conservation initiatives
  • Expanding the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities to all 50 states and continuing the DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides a variety of fresh produce to schools.
  • Strengthening and enhancing the food stamp initiative by reforming benefit rules to improve coverage of food costs and expand access to the program with additional funding support.
  • Protecting and sustaining our nation’s forest resources.