Oregon Farm Bureau Presidents Testifies on Farm Bill Programs

On Wednesday of this week, American Farm Bureau Vice President and Oregon FB President Barry Bushue testified in front of the House’s Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Ag on the importance of providing farm bill programs for fruit and vegetable farmers.

Starting with the next farm bill, Farm Bureau has proposed the extension of a new crop insurance program specifically for five specialty crops. Bushue says

Bushue: “I would encourage Congress to pay particular attention to the crop insurance programs, particularly the Stacked Income Protection Plan. STAX is an insurance program designed to provide a fiscally responsible and effective safety net for program crop farmers and growers of tomatoes, potatoes, apples, grapes and sweet corn. It is designed to compliment existing crop insurance programs and does not change any features of the existing insurance policies. If we can use this program to cover these five specialty crops, fruit and vegetable producers in 44 states will benefit.”

Farm Bureau also urged Congress to continue some programs for fruit and vegetable growers that were first included in the 2008 farm bill as Bushue explains.??Bushue: “Another farm bill program that has been quite popular with our members is the Farmer Market Promotion Program. As you probably know, we have more than tripled the amount of farmers markets in this country in the last decade. The mission of the program is to improve and expand domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSAs programs and agri-tourism. More than 160 farmers markets showcase Oregon’s bounty creating a unique connection between food producers and consumers.”