Farm Bill Update

Farm Bill Update plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 has officially been introduced in the U.S. Senate. Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow made the announcement Thursday. The bipartisan bill authored by Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts reforms U.S. food and farm policy to save 23-billion dollars while strengthening and streamlining programs to continue growth of the agricultural economy. The Senate Ag Committee adopted the measure on a 16 to 5 vote last month. According to Stabenow - the bill represents the most significant reforms of ag policy in decades. By eliminating duplication and streamlining programs - she says the committee was able to continue investing in initiatives that help farmers and small businesses create jobs.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid now says publicly he plans to bring up the Senate farm bill next month. It wasn’t the first time Reid’s mentioned the farm bill - but it may be the first time he’s committed publicly on the Senate floor to bring it up - while announcing his June schedule.

REID: We’re going to deal with the farm bill, flood insurance as I talked about a small business tax relief program, cyber security and some appropriation bills.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

For a large majority of us Memorial Day weekend is a time for warm weather fun, happy celebrations, and backyard picnics or barbecues. Too often, we forget what Memorial Day really means, and we seldom ask ourselves why we even celebrate Memorial Day. This year, in between the burger and brew remember to take a moment to honor U.S. soldiers who have served bravely and given the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our country. Originally known as Decoration Day, the Memorial Day holiday started after the Civil War to honor those from the North and South who died in the War Between the States. In an effort to put the memorial back into Memorial Day the President asks all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. All of us, wherever we are, should pause at 3:00 pm local time Memorial Day for one minute of silence to honor those who have died in service to the United States. Whether you support what the military stands for or not, take this moment to honor those who died serving their country, our country. If it weren’t for these brave men and women, it might not have been “our” country.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.