The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has praised the release of two separate farm bill frameworks by the chairs of the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees.
“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman [Glenn ‘GT’] Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman [Debbie] Stabenow for their work in moving the 2024 farm bill process forward,” the alliance said in a statement. “It’s imperative that the 2024 farm bill build on a strong record of federal investments in valuable programs and establish new and innovative tools to enhance the competitive position of specialty crop growers across the country. The status quo is not sustainable for America’s specialty crop growers, and seemingly small enhancements to farm bill programs could have a transformational impact on the specialty crop industry.”
SCFBA is a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, the release said. In early 2023, the alliance released a set of key policy priorities as part of its farm bill recommendations.
Specialty crop production, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery and greenhouse commodities, contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, accounting for $64.7 billion in farm gate value and 30% of farm cash receipts for crops.
“We are encouraged that both frameworks appear to include key investments for specialty crops and look forward to reviewing the details as they become available,” the alliance said in its statement. “This is an important step in the legislative process — one we hope to build on by working with leaders in the House and Senate. We urge bipartisan collaboration as Congress moves through the process to ensure a farm bill is signed into law this year.”
The Organic Trade Association also applauded the progress.
A farm bill that makes progress on organic priorities is essential for building a sustainable agriculture system, protecting consumer trust in the USDA Organic seal and supporting organic farmers, the group said.
The trade association said it is specifically encouraged by Senate framework’s inclusion of $50 million in authorization for continued funding of the Organic Market Development Grant Program and improved coordination for organic research in USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area, as well as increased Organic Certification Cost Share funding in the House framework.
“OTA looks forward to working with both committees to continue to advance a Farm Bill that delivers meaningful value for organic producers, businesses and consumers,” Organic Trade Association co-CEO Matthew Dillon said in the statement.
Anupama Joshi, vice president of programs for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said the Senate farm bill framework released by Stabenow is much in the tradition of previous farm bills.
“This framework supports consumers and farmers, protects the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and prioritizes food and nutrition security in ways that both parties should agree on,’ Joshi said in the statement.
“The Senate framework maintains Congress’ ability to keep the Thrifty Food Plan up to date as envisioned in the bipartisan 2018 farm bill,” Joshi said. “It’s important for food and nutrition security to keep SNAP benefit calculations aligned with the marketplace. It also increases funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, which advances nutrition security by increasing access to fruits and vegetables and supports local farmers, all while reducing the state match requirement to lower the bar of entry so more organizations can participate. The Senate framework additionally upholds equitable nutrition access by expanding SNAP access for college students, people formerly incarcerated and residents of Puerto Rico.”
The Senate framework would require the USDA to measure and regularly report on food and nutrition security, Joshi said, adding that it also establishes critical support to ensure nutritious, culturally appropriate food is available for families that rely on the emergency food system, while bolstering local farmers and reducing food waste.
Stabenow’s proposal stands in “stark contrast” to the proposal under consideration in the House, which undermines Americans’ food and nutrition security, Joshi said.
“As Congress continues to debate the farm bill, we urge lawmakers to move forward in a bipartisan manner,” Joshi said. “Congress should include critical provisions laid out in the Senate framework that support SNAP access and benefit adequacy, increase the availability of healthy food in the emergency food system, support increase the availability of healthy food in the emergency food system, support local farmers, and ultimately advance food and nutrition security for everyone in the U.S.”
