By Frank Giles
There have been a few issues percolating on the federal policy front over the summer. One of the biggest has been the new farm bill and its prospects of getting passed into law.
Last month, AgNet Media hosted the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The event was a success, and we look forward to hosting next year’s Expo on Aug. 20–21.
During the event’s general session, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Tori Rumenik, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) director of commodity services and supply chain, regarding the farm bill and specialty crop priorities. Rumenik is a sharp person and an excellent advocate for specialty crop growers.
She noted that the first farm bill was passed in 1933 and was intended to stabilize prices for core commodity crops like corn and soybeans. It was not until the early 2000s that specialty crops began to get some recognition in the legislation. The 2008 farm bill finally added a permanent horticultural title in the law, which brought fruits and vegetables to the table.
The current farm bill expired in September last year and was extended. While there are motivated lawmakers in Congress to get the new farm bill passed, the debate is likely to be pushed into next year.
Advocating for Specialty Crops
During the Expo conversation, Rumenik outlined some key priorities being advocated for in the next version of the bill. This includes funding for current programs like the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Specialty Crop Research Initiative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Market News
“When we talk about research, there is a lot that is funded through the farm bill,” she said. “We are looking at the new farm bill coming in with a cost of about $1.5 trillion, so we are talking about a lot of money.”
For perspective, the price tag of the 2018 farm bill was about $428 billion. Approximately 77% of that spending is on feeding programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Specialty crop spending only accounts for 5% of the total.
Rumenik praised the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), which has carried the torch for the industry in negotiations. It is made up of 200 member associations, and FFVA is a co-chair of the group.
Priority Provisions
Some of the priorities the SCFBA is pushing for in the next farm bill are topics we talk about all the time — labor, trade, pests and diseases, natural disasters and the increased cost of production
Some specific provisions include making the adjusted gross income requirements in USDA conservation and disaster programs more flexible to make them available to more growers. Another is to develop a standing disaster response program.
“Ever since I started working with FFVA five years ago, there has been a different disaster every year and a different disaster program for each,” Rumenik said. “We know we are going to keep having disasters, so let’s put together a standing program so we are not guessing every time a storm comes through.”
Some other priorities to create demand are related to market access programs and increased buy-American provisions in the USDA school meals programs.
Another important ask is to increase funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative by $50 million, bringing that total up to $130 million annually. Part of that research funding would be allocated to mechanization and automation to help growers deal with labor issues.
It was an enlightening conversation with Rumenik and a reminder not to take for granted all the advocacy organizations working on behalf of growers. It also was a reminder to do your part, speak up and let your voice be heard by policymakers as to why this farm bill is so vital to the specialty crop industry.