Feingold helps dairy, small farms in Final Farm Bill

Feingold pleased with some provisions, but disappointed by lack of significant reform

 May 15, 2008

Washington , D.C. – Following Sen at e passage of the Farm Bill Conference Report today, U.S. Sen at or Russ Feingold (D-WI), who supported the bill, praised the inclusion of several provisions he has been pushing to help Wisconsin farmers.  Among the Feingold-supported provisions included in the final bill are an improved safety net for Wisconsin’s family dairy farmers, a tax provision to ensure farmers remain eligible for Social Security benefits, mand at ory country of origin labeling for ginseng and other commodities to help consumers choose Wisconsin and U.S. goods, new opportunities for rural America, and safeguards against energy market manipul at ion th at contributes to increased costs.  The final Farm Bill also makes significant improvements to food stamp and food assistance programs th at will help many Americans.  An immedi at e infusion of $50 million for food banks is especially important given rising food prices and recent economic struggles.  Feingold expressed disappointment th at some common-sense reforms in the Sen at e bill to provide protections for livestock producers were weakened and th at the final bill did not go further in targeting commodity support for small farms away from industrial-scale production.

“From the beginning of the Farm Bill process, my top priorities were protecting small and mid-size farms and creating opportunities for rural Americans,” Feingold said.  “I am pleased the final Farm Bill includes a number of provisions, including some I authored, to accomplish those goals.  While I am disappointed that the bill does not do more to reform farm subsidies, livestock programs, and the direct payment system, it does take good steps toward helping dairy farmers and rural communities.  This bill will also significantly improve food stamp and food assistance programs for many Americans who are facing high food prices.  I will vote for the bill, but I will continue working to bring about long-overdue reforms.”

Feingold’s accomplishments in the final Farm Bill:

Protecting Wisconsin’s Small Dairy Farmers

• MILC – Feingold worked with his colleagues to successfully restore the MILC program’s reimbursement rate to 45 percent, targeted toward small and medium farmers.  The final bill also includes a feed cost adjuster to ensure a robust safety net for farmers given the increased cost of production. 
• Better USDA oversight – Feingold authored a requirement that dairy price reporters be regularly audited, and successfully included report language to improve USDA oversight of dairy markets in response to a GAO report he requested suggesting that cash cheese trading is still prone to manipulation.  
• Leveling the playing field for dairy imports—Feingold has long supported having dairy importers pay into the dairy promotion check-off instead of free-loading on the contributions of hard-working American dairy producers.  The final bill includes a provision to allow for an assessment on imports.

Fairness for Wisconsin Farmers and Consumers

• Farmer Tax Fairness – The final Farm Bill includes a similar measure to one Feingold authored that updates the tax code to ensure family farmers and the self-employed remain eligible for Social Security and disability benefits.
• Gas Prices & Energy Trading – A provision Feingold has co-sponsored will provide oversight of energy markets by closing the “Enron loophole” that has allowed oil and gas traders to make electronic energy trades without federal oversight.  This lack of oversight has led to market manipulation, speculation, and gas price distortion.  
• Office of Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers – Building on his proposal for a Small Farm Advocate in 1998, Feingold secured a measure to improve the authority and activities of this office as a division of the new Office of Advocacy and Outreach, following the recommendation of the GAO for improved coordination.
• Standing up for Wisconsin ’s local livestock farmers and meat processors – Feingold supported an effort by Senator Herb Kohl to help local producers who use smaller state-inspected meat processors to make their products available in other states.

Preserving Wisconsin’s Premium Ginseng

• Ginseng Labeling – Feingold has worked since 2000 to protect Wisconsin ’s premium ginseng by requiring labeling of the source country.  The final Farm Bill supports efforts by Feingold, Senator Kohl, and Representative Obey by including a measure that will require a country-of-origin label on ginseng to help ensure consumers who pay for Wisconsin-grown ginseng are getting the premium ginseng they expect.    

Creating Opportunities for Rural America

• Rural Broadband – The Farm Bill clarifies the definition of “rural” to help ensure that rural broadband programs and funds are targeted to truly rural communities, and that taxpayer money is not subsidizing the Internet for suburban development.
• Local Foods – The bill builds on Feingold’s proposal in his Rural Opportunities Act to clarify that local procurement will allow local preference in food purchase. The bill will also provide funding for local food programs Feingold has made a priority.
• Organic Agriculture – The final bill contains a critical investment in the rapidly growing area of organic agriculture, where Wisconsin is a leader.  These provisions mirror proposals from Feingold’s Rural Opportunities Act.
• Bioenergy – Feingold has championed efforts to provide local ownership opportunities in bioenergy projects.  Feingold amended the Senate Farm Bill to require the federal government’s continued partnership with regional consortia of public institutions that support local ownership in the bioeconomy.  Feingold successfully included report language supporting these consortia.  The Farm Bill also includes language based on a Coleman-Feingold bill that gives priority to grants and loan guarantees for biorefineries with significant local ownership.

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