**2007 Senate Farm Bill**

**Highlights**

***[Commodity Title]{.underline}***

**Improvements**

-   [Aquaculture]{.underline} -- Assistance through the Noninsured
    Assistance Program (NAP) would be provided to aquaculture producers
    from all losses related to drought. This provision is of importance
    to the Idaho aquaculture industry that has experienced challenges.

-   [Barley]{.underline} -- The target price for Barley would be
    increased to \$2.63 per bushel (a 0.39 increase from the 2002 Farm
    Bill and 0.10 less than the House-passed Farm Bill). The marketing
    loan rate for Barley would be increased to \$1.95 per bushel (a 0.10
    increase from the 2002 Farm Bill and a 0.05 increase from the
    House-passed Farm Bill).

-   [Dairy]{.underline} -- A Federal Milk Marketing Order Review
    Commission would be established to conduct a comprehensive review of
    milk marketing order systems. Representation of all regions of the
    United States equitably, including States that operate outside of a
    Federal milk marketing order is required. Forward contracts between
    dairy producers and handlers who use milk for manufacturing purposes
    would be authorized.

-   [Labeling]{.underline} -- The legislation includes the House
    compromise on mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) with minor
    changes. Retailers would be required to provide COOL for beef, lamb,
    pork and goat meat, fruits and vegetables, fish and peanuts. Goat
    meat and macadamia nuts are added as covered commodities. A label
    denoting a State, region or locality will suffice as identity of
    United States origin for perishable agricultural commodities.

-   [Pulse Crops]{.underline} -- Dry Peas, Lentils, Small Chickpeas, and
    Large Chickpeas have been added as eligible crops for the
    Counter-Cyclical Program. The target price for Dry Peas would be
    \$8.33 per hundredweight, Lentils \$12.82, Small Chickpeas \$10.36,
    and Large Chickpeas \$12.82. The House passed Farm Bill did not
    include these commodities in the Counter-Cyclical Program. A
    marketing loan rate of \$11.28 per hundredweight would be
    established for Large Chickpeas. This was not included in the
    House-passed Farm Bill. Base acreage would be established for pulse
    crops.

-   [Specialty Crops]{.underline} -- A number of programs important to
    the Specialty Crop producers would be expanded and enhanced:

    -   \$270 million provided for Specialty Crop Block Grants over 5
        years in mandatory funding.

    -   \$20 million to establish a National Clean Plant Network, which
        will ensure that nurseries can continue to provide safe,
        virus-free plant materials to orchards, vineyards and other
        growers.

    -   \$30 million for the farmers' market promotion program.

    -   \$29.2 million** **for the Technical Assistance for Specialty
        Crops (TASC) program to assist with the removal of specialty
        crop trade barriers.

    -   Not less than 50 percent of Market Access Program (MAP) funds
        made available in excess of \$200 million would be used to
        promote the sale and export of specialty crops.

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-   [Sugar]{.underline} -- The marketing loan rate for Sugar Beets would
    be increased to 128.5 percent of the loan rate for raw cane sugar.
    Also, a program would be established under which surplus sugar may
    be converted into ethanol. This program is required to be operated
    at no cost to the Federal Government and in a manner that avoids
    sugar forfeitures. The legislation includes a requirement for the
    collection of Mexico sweetener trade data, and an extension of the
    sugar program and marketing allotments through 2012

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-   [Wheat]{.underline} -- The target price for Wheat would be increased
    to \$4.20 per bushel (a 0.28 increase from the 2002 Farm Bill and a
    0.05 increase from the House-passed Farm Bill). The marketing loan
    rate for Wheat would be increased to \$2.94 per bushel (a 0.19
    increase from the 2002 Farm Bill and the same as the House-passed
    Farm Bill). The Secretary may not charge any fees or related costs
    for the collection of commodity assessments.

-   [Wool]{.underline} -- The marketing loan rate for graded wool would
    be increased to \$1.20 per pound (a 0.20 increase from the 2002 Farm
    Bill and a 0.10 increase from the House-passed Farm Bill).

**Work In Progress**

-   [Dairy]{.underline} -- The Dairy Price Support program would be
    retained with established product prices for cheddar cheese, butter,
    and nonfat dry milk. The Milk Income Loss Contract program (MILC)
    would be extended through the life of the Farm Bill with an increase
    of the payment rate from 34 percent to 45 percent and an increase in
    the payment quantity from 2.4 million pounds to 4.15 million pounds.
    These changes would increase the cost of this program.

-   [Planting Prohibition]{.underline} -- The provision prohibiting the
    planting of fruits, vegetables and wild rice on base acres is mostly
    maintained in the traditional producer support and the new Average
    Crop Revenue (ACR) option. However, a pilot program is created in
    the State of Indiana for where an exception is made in the direct
    and countercyclical programs for tomatoes grown for processing on up
    to 10,000 base acres. A pilot program is also established for
    processing by participants in the ACR on up to 10,000 base acres in
    each of the States of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and
    Wisconsin.

-   [Pulse Crops]{.underline} -- Pulse crops would not be added as
    eligible crops for direct payments. The marketing loan rate for Dry
    Peas would be decreased to \$5.40 per hundredweight (a 0.82 decrease
    from the 2002 Farm Bill and the same level of decrease as provided
    in the House-passed Farm Bill). The marketing loan rate for Small
    Chickpeas would be maintained at \$7.43 per hundredweight (\$1.11
    less than the House-passed Farm Bill). The marketing loan rate for
    Lentils would be decreased to \$11.28 per hundredweight (a 0.44
    decrease from the 2002 Farm Bill and the same level of decrease as
    provided in the House-passed Farm Bill).

-   [Wheat and Barley]{.underline} -- Direct payments for wheat and
    barley would not be increased but also would not be decreased. The
    direct payment for Wheat would be maintained at \$0.52 per bushel,
    and the direct payment for Barley maintained at \$0.24 per bushel.
    This is the same as the House-passed Farm Bill.

-   [Wool]{.underline} -- The marketing loan rate for nongraded wool
    would not be increased but rather maintained at \$0.40 per pound.
    This is the same as the House-passed Farm Bill.

***[Conservation Title]{.underline}***

**Improvements**

-   [AMA]{.underline} -- Idaho would join 15 other states in being
    eligible to participate in the Agriculture Management Assistance
    (AMA) program. The purpose of AMA is to address issues, such as
    water management, water quality, and erosion control to better
    manage risk -- challenges faced by Idaho producers.

-   [Applications]{.underline} -- The Secretary would be required to
    develop a streamlined application process for conservation programs.

-   [CSP]{.underline} -- The Conservation Security Program (CSP) would
    be renamed the Comprehensive Stewardship Program and expanded to
    enroll more than 13.2 million acres nationwide every year through
    2012 and be simplified with a single payment stream.

-   [CRP]{.underline} -- The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) would be
    maintained at 39.2 million acres.

-   [Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer]{.underline} -- A number of provisions
    would be added to assist with the water challenges in Idaho. The
    Eastern Snake Plains Aquifer would be added as a CRP priority area.
    The 25 percent CRP county acreage cap would be waived for
    Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (CREP). The Eastern Snake
    Plain Aquifer Pilot program for regional water conservation
    activities in the Eastern Snake Aquifer Region would be created and
    funded at \$2 million over 5 years in mandatory funding.

-   [Emergency Conservation]{.underline} -- The Emergency Conservation
    Program and the Emergency Watershed Program would be combined and
    expanded to assist producers with recovery from natural disasters.

-   [Environmental Services]{.underline} -- The Secretary of Agriculture
    would be directed to create a framework to facilitate environmental
    services markets.

-   [ESA]{.underline} -- At the request of the landowner, the Secretary
    would be required to cooperate with the Secretary of Interior and
    Secretary of Commerce to make Safe Harbor assurances available to
    the landowner under the Endangered Species Act.

-   [Farmland]{.underline} -- The Farmland Protection Program would be
    reauthorized.

-   [Fire]{.underline} -- Invasive species management and fuel load
    reductions would be added as eligible for EQIP incentive payments.
    Also, the definition of structural practice would be expanded to
    include firebreaks and fuel breaks.

-   [Healthy Forests]{.underline} -- The Healthy Forests Reserve Program
    would be reauthorized through 2012 with adjustments to allow for
    tribal lands to be enrolled.

-   [Public Access]{.underline} -- A new grant program, with \$20
    million in mandatory funding, would be created to encourage states
    and tribes to allow public access on private lands for
    wildlife-related recreation such as hunting, fishing, and bird
    watching.

-   [Technical Service]{.underline} -- The Technical Services Provider
    (TSP) program would be reauthorized and improvements would be made
    to the delivery of technical assistance.

-   [Wildlife Habitat]{.underline} -- The Wildlife Habitat Incentives
    Program (WHIP) would be continued.

-   [WRP]{.underline} -- The Wetlands Reserve Program is reauthorized
    with funds to enroll 250,000 acres per year through 2012.

    **Work in Progress**

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-   [EQIP]{.underline} -- The Environmental Quality Incentives Program
    (EQIP) would be continued with forest management added as an
    eligible activity. However, additional funding for the program is
    needed.

-   [GRP]{.underline} -- New funding would be provided for the Grassland
    Reserve Program (GRP). However, the funding level at \$240 million
    over 5 years is less than demand for the program.

-   [Forest Conservation]{.underline} -- "Forest management" would be
    added as a purpose of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
    (EQIP).

-   [RWEP]{.underline} -- The Regional Water Enhancement Program (RWEP)
    would not be established as a stand alone program with separate
    funds. However, objectives of the program would be incorporated into
    Partnerships and Cooperation with five percent of program funds
    directed to carry out the objectives. Additionally, the Eastern
    Snake Plain Aquifer Pilot program for regional water conservation
    activities in the Eastern Snake Aquifer Region would be created and
    funded at \$2 million over 5 years in mandatory funding.

-   [Regional Equity]{.underline} -- The minimum base amount provided
    for Regional Equity states would be expanded to \$15 million. Donor
    programs would be expanded to include CSP and AMA.

    ***[Trade Title]{.underline}***

    **Improvements**

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-   [MAP]{.underline} -- The Market Access Program (MAP) would be
    reauthorized and increased from its current level of \$200 million
    for fiscal 2007, raising it by \$10 million annually until fiscal
    2011, when it would return to baseline levels.

-   [FMDP]{.underline} -- The Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP)
    would be reauthorized and increased from its current level of \$34.5
    million annually for fiscal year 2007 by \$5 million for fiscal 2008
    and 2009, by \$10 million in fiscal 2010, and would return to
    baseline levels in fiscal 2011.

    **Work in Progress**

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-   [Food Aid]{.underline} -- A pilot program for local/regional cash
    purchases of food aid in foreign countries would be authorized using
    \$25 million per year for four years. This runs counter to efforts
    to maintain in kind food donations.

    ***[Nutrition Title]{.underline}***

    **Improvements**

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-   [Expansion of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program]{.underline} --
    The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program would be expanded to every
    state and the District of Columbia. Each state and D.C. would be
    entitled to a minimum grant of one percent of the funds made
    available in a fiscal year. Additional funding would be made
    available based on the state's population. States would be
    responsible for choosing the participating schools, but would be
    required to give priority to schools with the highest number of
    students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The U.S.
    Department of Agriculture would be required to ensure that at least
    100 of the chosen participating schools are on Indian reservations.

-   [Availability of Commodities for the Emergency Food Assistance
    Program (TEFAP)]{.underline} -- The legislation would provide for
    \$140 million in annual mandatory commodity purchases for food banks
    and emergency food providers through TEFAP and would increase
    mandatory purchases of commodities for TEFAP by \$92 million
    annually.

-   [Hunger-Free Communities]{.underline} -- The legislation would
    authorize a new program which would direct the Secretary of
    Agriculture to develop and conduct a study analyzing hunger in the
    United States and make recommendations to reduce hunger based on the
    results. The program would authorize \$50 million in grants for food
    banks and other eligible entities for the purpose of reducing
    hunger.

    ***[Rural Development Title]{.underline}***

    **Improvements**

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-   [Businesses]{.underline} -- The Rural Business Opportunity Grant
    (RBOG) Program would be reauthorized.

-   [Connectivity]{.underline} -- Financial assistance to library
    connectivity, public television station digital conversion, schools,
    libraries, and other facilities would be expanded.

-   [Project SEARCH]{.underline} -- Project SEARCH would be reauthorized
    with improvements.

-   [Rural Broadband]{.underline} -- The Rural Broadband Loan Program
    would be reformed, and a "Connect the Nation" matching grant program
    would be added to benchmark current broadband access and to build
    national GIS service maps.

-   [Rural Collaborative Investment Program]{.underline} -- The bill
    would establish a program to provide rural regions with a flexible
    investment vehicle to implement locally prioritized strategies for
    innovation and prosperity.

-   [Rural Microenterprise Assistance Program]{.underline} -- The bill
    would authorize \$40 million in mandatory funding for establishing a
    rural microenterprise program that would provide low or moderate
    income individuals with the skills to establish new rural
    microenterprises and would make grants for microenterprise
    development and microlending.

-   [Rural Partnership]{.underline} -- The National Rural Development
    Partnerships would be reauthorized.

-   [Study of Railroad Issues]{.underline} -- The Secretary would work
    with the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study of railroad
    issues regarding the movement of agricultural products, domestically
    produced renewable fuels and domestically produced resources for the
    production of electricity in rural areas.

-   [Value Added Producer Grants]{.underline} -- Grant size would be
    reduced from \$500,000 to \$300,000 and would include provisions to
    promote locally grown foods.

-   [Water/Waste Water]{.underline} -- The legislation would apply \$135
    million in mandatory funding to pending applications for rural water
    and wastewater assistance.

    ***[Research Title]{.underline}***

    **Improvements**

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-   [Aquaculture]{.underline} -- Aquaculture research would be
    authorized at \$7.5 million per year, and the study of viral
    hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) and VHS management shall be considered
    an area of priority research.

-   [Organics]{.underline} -- The legislation would provide \$80 million
    for organic agriculture research and extension, to enhance the
    ability of organic producers and processors to grow and market
    organic food, feed and fiber.

-   [Specialty Crops]{.underline} -- The legislation would provide \$80
    million for research on specialty crops, including mechanization,
    plant breeding, genetics, genomics, invasive species, and food
    safety.

***[Forestry]{.underline}***

**Improvements**

-   [National Priorities for Private Forest Conservation]{.underline} --
    The Forestry Title of the Farm Bill would identify three priorities
    for private forest conservation:  1) conserving and managing working
    forests, protecting forests from threats, and ensuring public
    benefits.  These priorities would help focus the allocation of
    limited resources for assistance to those projects with the greatest
    overall public benefit.

-   [Community Forest and Open Space Program]{.underline} -- A new
    provision of the Farm Bill would establish a community forestry
    program that would provide matching funds to county and local
    governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations the purchase
    private forests that are threatened by conversion to non-forest
    uses.  Differing from other introduced bills, rural areas and States
    with more than twenty-five percent federally-managed public lands
    are not excluded.  Additional to providing the many benefits that
    forested lands offer, public access would be provided on the lands
    acquired.

-   [Comprehensive Statewide Forest Planning]{.underline} -- Not only is
    it important to have forest lands, it is important that they be
    properly managed.  The comprehensive statewide forest planning
    program would provide assistance to States for use in developing and
    implementing statewide forest resource assessments and plans.  The
    assessments and plans would identify critical forest resources and
    address national priorities and regional needs.  State Foresters, or
    equivalent state officials, would coordinate this effort including
    public involvement and the incorporation of existing management
    plans.

-   [Tribal-Forest service Cooperative Relations]{.underline} -- The
    Farm Bill also includes many provisions that clarify the
    relationship of the Forest Service and Indian Tribes.  The bill
    would strengthen the government-to-government relationship between
    the two entities.  For example, Indian Tribes would be allowed to
    participate, along with other State and local governments, in the
    Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program for protecting important
    forest areas.  The bill also recognizes the unique traditional and
    cultural needs of Indian tribes for using forest products and
    special areas as well as reburial of human remains and artifacts.

    ***[Energy Title]{.underline}***

    **Improvements**

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-   [Biomass]{.underline} -- A Crop Transition Program would be
    authorized to stimulate production and ease transition to perennial
    biomass crops. The program would be funded at \$172 million over 5
    years. A collection, harvest, storage, and transport assistance
    payment would be provided to producers and funded at \$55 million.
    Competitive research grants for biomass to bioenergy programs would
    be authorized with \$75 million, focusing on increasing process
    efficiency and utilization of byproducts. The Renewable Woody
    Biomass Program would be authorized and administered through the
    Forest Service for wood-to-energy programs.

 

-   [Biofuels]{.underline} - Biorefinery & Repowering Assistance would
    be authorized at \$422 million in competitive grants to cover
    project costs for pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries as
    well as renewable co-generation at these facilities, with the intent
    to help develop cellulosic biofuels plants.

> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the Department of
> Energy (DOE), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the
> Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be directed to conduct a
> study of the infrastructure needs associated with expanded use of
> biofuels.

 

-   [Biodiesel]{.underline} -- The Biodiesel Education Program would be
    reauthorized at \$2 million /year in mandatory funding (double the
    2002 Farm bill).  The University of Idaho has received about 20
    percent of those funds (1/5^th^) through a competitive grants
    process. 

>   

-   [Bioenergy]{.underline} --The CCC Bioenergy Program would be
    reinstated with \$345 million, providing assistance to biofuels
    producers for the purchase of feedstocks. 

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-   [Rural Energy]{.underline} -- The Rural Energy for America program
    would be authorized providing \$270 million for energy audits and
    technical assistance to producers and rural small businesses, with
    15% dedicated to manure-to-energy programs.

>  
>
> The Rural Energy Systems would provide cost-share grants for rural
> communities to assess and modernize their energy systems.

-   The USDA Office of Energy Policy would be expanded with new uses.

    **Work In Progress**

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-   [Oilseed R&D]{.underline} -- While no specific research dollars were
    allotted for Biomass Crop Experiments, \$45 million was allotted for
    a regional bionergy crops program that is awarded competitively to
    land-grant universities and will include research on oilseed crops.

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-   [Biogas]{.underline} -- No countercyclical from CCC, but the
    continuation of the Rural Energy for America program will provide
    \$270 million for energy audits and technical assistance to
    producers and rural small businesses, with 15% dedicated to
    manure-to-energy programs, as well as a the reinstatement of the CCC
    Bioenergy program which provides \$345 million in assistance to
    biofuels producers for purchase of feedstocks.

-   The legislation does not prescribe minimum quantities of renewable
    fuel derived from cellulosic ethanol for 2010 through 2030.

-   The legislation does not include a pilot program to promote
    production of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels through the
    sustainable use of cover crops grown on CRP lands.