Working on the 2012 Farm Bill

Working on the 2012 Farm Bill. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has been doing a lot of talking lately about the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill. Last week we talked about his priorities for the next farm bill and he explains why each is important to not just agriculture - but all Americans.

VILSACK: This legislation deals with many important aspects of life in America including but not limited to farming. It’s about supporting the jobs of the future. It’s about keeping pace with the changing needs of agriculture and rural America and it’s about providing a safe and ample food supply for our nation. But it must begin with our responsibility to strengthen agriculture, a bright spot in todays economy.

Vilsack says there are three main components they are working on.

VILSACK: As Congress writes the portion of the bill involving agriculture the focus should be on three core principals that have shaped the success of American farmers over generations; maintaining a strong safety net, supporting sustainable productivity and promoting vibrant markets. The safety net for our farmers ranchers and producers should protect them from devastating losses either from a natural disaster or a significant and unexpected decline in prices. With investments in research and conservation the Farm Bill should support American producers, the most productive in the world, in their work to produce an affordable, quality product year after year. The bill should continue to promote vibrant, fair and diverse markets for farmers of all types and sizes to sell their products at home and abroad.

Vilsack says though that this isn’t something that affects just farmers.

VILSACK: But farmers aren’t alone in the need for a safety net. The Farm Bill also helps folks struggling through tough times to put food on the table with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, an important bridge to self-sufficiency for working families. Finally the Farm Bill legislation must address the needs of rural America. It should make USDA the best possible partner for businesses and American’s in rural communities looking to create jobs and provide a better quality of life for their families. And it should continue to support effort to develop a renewable industry that will improve income for farmers, drive rural economic growth and increase our national security.

Finally he sums everything up.

VILSACK: The Farm Bill is about the future. We stick to our priorities, we’ll help move our nation and our economy forward by creating jobs, supporting working families, strengthening rural communities and building on the incredible success and productivity of American agriculture.

House and Senate Ag Committees are trying to write the 2012 Farm Bill in a matter of days so that it’s included in the Super Committee plan to find 1.2-trillion dollars in deficit reduction.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.