Farm Bill 2008 (or, how I learned to hate mung beans and buy cheese in barrels)

The 2008 Farm Bill is not compelling reading. It is dense, heavily coded, and exists in at least five versions as a cross-referential nightmare. The bill is, however, extremely important and very contentious this time around. Bush has threatened to veto the bill, arguing (in all Nixonian triangulating splendor) that it over-subsidizes wealthy farmers. To his credit, most analysts that I’ve read seem to agree, but these subsidies are a red herring. The majority of the funds allocated by the bill are earmarked for the Nutrition Assistance Program (the program formerly known as food stamps—the name officially changes with the passing of the ’08 Farm Bill). Changes to the NAP include cost saving measures like switching to an electronic debit card, a base increase of $10 billion over ten years, and more programs to make public school food healthier with food produced locally. My hunch is that Bush isn’t balking at the subsidies, but rather the increase in spending for this vital social program.

The subsidies may need to be revisited at some point, but with food prices soaring and worries about climate change, I’d rather see them just pass the damn bill—it seems the Senate may have the 3/5 majority needed to override Bush anyway.

There is a great overview of the basic issues in the Farm Bill at the NPR website.

Aside from the big issues, I just wanted to point out a few progressive items I feel good about:

Sec. 4210 sets aside $5 million to help Farmer’s Markets purchase the technology to accept the new Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards so that families and individuals in the NAP can purchase foods from Farmer’s Markets. One of the better features of this Farm Bill is the continuing and increasing support for Farmer’s Markets, especially the earmarked monies for areas that don’t currently have them. Farmer’s Markets make a lot of sense from an agricultural standpoint, as well as an environmental and health standpoint.

Sec. 4301 prohibits the state from trying to collect restitution for overpayment in the in the NAP as a result of the State’s error. I’m not sure how big a problem it is, but it gives the states incentive to monitor the program more closely and not call a collection agency on people who, by no fault of their own, received more benefits than they should have.

Sec. 310F describes a program that it intended to help “beginning farmers” purchase land (with a low interest rate and only 5% down). This could be a way for a lot of locally owned, smaller, organic / sustainable farms to get off the ground. I hope people take advantage of it.

And lastly, the Farm Bill is not without a laugh or two. I thought these were funny (which tells you something about the Farm Bill text, and probably too much about me).

(b) Purchase Price- To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary shall purchase cheddar cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk at prices that are equivalent to--
(1) in the case of cheddar cheese--
(A) in blocks, not less than $1.13 per pound;
(B) in barrels, not less than $1.10 per pound;

Apparently, for all of you pennywise shoppers, cheddar cheese is cheaper by the barrel.

(3) COVERED AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES- Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply to the following agricultural commodities:
(A) Fruits.
(B) Vegetables (other than mung beans)
(C) Wild rice.

There’s a lot of hating on mung beans in this bill. I suspect the National Board of Mung Bean Producers will be all over this (file under: smallest protest ever).

For all of this, the 2008 incarnation of the Farm Bill seems good—and if Bush is opposed to it, I’m more inclined to believe that it is fairly decent. The increase in the more progressively minded initiatives is also likely one of the under reported benefits of a democratic majority; since January 2007, the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture has had a democratic majority and a formidable chairman in Iowa’s Tom Harkin. It at least serves as a reminder that, despite all of the attention on the presidential election, the congressional elections are just as vital to a progressive future.