The 2012 Farm Bill

What It Is and Why It Matters to Community

and Regional Food Systems

www.community-food.org

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What is the Farm Bill?

Legislation That Sets Government Farm and Food Policy Goals and

Priorities

Affects How and Where Food Is Grown

Last Farm Bill Passed May 2008

Key 2008 Farm Bill Titles

• Title I – Commodity Programs• Title II – Conservation• Title IV – Nutrition• Title V – Credit• Title VI – Rural Development• Title VII – Research• Title X – Horticulture and Organic

Agriculture

Farm Bills Occur Every 4-6 Years

2012 Farm Bill –What Will Really Happen?

How Will the Super Committee’s Budget Cuts Affect Farm Bill Funding?

Two Marker Bills in 2012

1. Local and Regional Farm and Food System Bill* | Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME)

2. Community Agriculture Development &Jobs Act of 2011 | Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D - OH)

*Working title

The Pingree Bill:Local and Regional Farm

and Food Systems **Working Title

Barriers to Local Food

Lack of Distribution Systems for Moving Into Mainstream

Markets

Lack of Investment Capital for Infrastructure

Lack of Training in Marketing

Uncertainty of Regulations Affecting Local Food Production

Pingree Bill Example Provisions

Allows Schools to use a Portion of Their Purchasing Allocation for Local Foods

Authorizes a New Technical Assistance Initiative to Help Create Sustainable

Local and Regional Food Systems

Creates a Program of Credit for Farmers Producing for Local

Markets

Development of Marketing Programs Focused on Local Food

Kaptur Bill: Community Agriculture Development

and Jobs Act of 2011

Goal: Create Community Agriculture Jobs

Few Current Programs Target Community Agriculture

Creation of an Office of Community Agriculture

Work to Eliminate Food Deserts

Ensure Food Programs Support Local Agriculture

Promote Consumption of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Provide Grants for Local Community Agriculture

Initiatives

Requires USDA to Monitor Community Agriculture

Performance

To Contact Today’s Presenters

• Margaret Krome mkrome@sbcglobal.net | 608-238-1440

• Helen Dombalis

hdombalis@sustainableagriculture.net 202-547-5754

• John Latini202-225-4146 | http://www.kaptur.house.gov

Non-Exhaustive List of Organizations Working on Farm

Bill Issues Related to Local Food Systems

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition - www.sustainableagriculture.netSlow Food USA - www.slowfoodusa.orgUnion of Concerned Scientists - www.ucs.orgNational Organic Coalition - www.nationalorganiccoalition.orgOrganic Farming Research Foundation - www.ofrf.orgNational Family Farm Coalition - www.wffc.orgFamily Farm Defenders - www.familyfarmers.orgThe Rural Coalition - www.ruralco.orgPolicyLink - www.policylink.orgCommunity Food Security Coalition - www.foodsecurity.orgGrowing Food and Justice For All Initiative - www.growingfoodandjustice.orgAmerican Farmland Trust - www.farmland.orgEnvironmental Working Group - www.ewg.orgFood and Water Watch - www.foodandwaterwatch.org

Questions?

Please visit community-food.org/farmbill to complete a short survey on this webinar!

Photo Credits• Sienna Enjoying Chick

ens by davidsilver

• Urban Farming by Ryan Thompson

• Food Safety by Tom Arthur

• Belgian Mail Distribution Point by g-flow

• Bad Market by Wilsonious

• Two Hundred Dollars by Surat Lozowick

• Earthworks Urban Farm by DetroitUnspin

• Earthworks Urban Farm #2 by Detroit UnSpin

• Essex Aggie Bill Signing by Office of Governor Patrick

• Tokens at Farmer’s Market by cafemama

• First Bloom Kickoff Event by North Cascades National Park

• Farmer’s Market Haul by captaincinema

• American Farm by Danielle Muscetta

• American Cathedral by Tom Haymes

• 2008 by Leo Reynolds• 2012---the End is Near

by spike55151

• Kale Harvest by Molly Breslin

• Goat Stencil by walls_of_fame

• Sign at Wells Farmers’ Market by pluralzed

• Seeds of the Future by heyheygig

• Garden Produce by AlyssssyIA

• Togo GMP Roll 0502 by Paul W

• Questions by oberazzi• Barn by cindy47452• House Gate Post Num

ber by marc e marc• Soil Ph Test Kit by Lon

don Permaculture

• Food Desert - CRFS Project

• Question Mark by Leo Reynolds

• USDA Headquarters by afagen

• Side view with chickens by Patrick Barber

• Manchester Urban Farm by John Murden

• Cash Money by Nathan Gibbs

The End