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Norm Coleman -- Safety net in place for Minnesota's farmers Wednesday, May 28, 2008
By Norm Coleman
The passage of the 2008 Farm Bill is a victory not only for Americans who are fighting hunger and working to feed the nation, but also for the type of bipartisanship that serves our nation well.
When Congress voted to override the President's veto, it spoke to the capacity of Americans to work together, regardless of regional or political affiliation, to do what is right for the nation. This bipartisan victory comes from a common recognition that this bill is about food security for every American who goes to the grocery store and for everyone who can't afford to.
This long-overdue reauthorization is a tremendous victory for Minnesota, as it will keep intact the critical safety net our farmers depend on, expand the use of renewable fuels, establish a permanent disaster assistance program, and invest heavily in nutrition and food assistance programs for those who are struggling to put food on the table.
It also provides the largest conservation investment in farm bill history, with record funding increases for wildlife habitat, wetlands, and cleaner air and water.
Agriculture continues to be the economic cornerstone of Minnesota's economy, generating an estimated $55 billion in economic activity and underpinning 367,000 jobs. This bill will go a long way toward allowing our farm families to continue feeding and fueling the nation. I am especially pleased that many of the Minnesota-specific provisions I fought for are in the final bill, including an increased payment rate for dairy farmers; additional funding for food shelves through The Emergency Food Assistance Program; upward adjustments of marketing loan rates and target prices for crops such as barley, soybeans, and wheat; my long-sought sugar ethanol program; and the first increase in the sugar loan rate in 15 years.
Each of these provisions is critical to ensuring the viability and strength of our communities, whether through feeding the poor or standing behind those who drive much of the state's economy.
Additionally, the bill included two small but important provisions I've worked to secure. First, the bill will prioritize the level of local ownership proposed in the applications for the new loan guarantee program for advanced biofuel plants that will help keep more of the wealth of our booming renewable fuels industry close to home.
Also included in the final bill is a new farm storage loan program that will provide loans to farmers to build and upgrade storage facilities, improving the availability of a stable supply of high quality grain for renewable energy production and livestock.
Meanwhile, the farm bill's safety net not only costs less than one-third of one percent of the federal budget, but it also comes with historic farm payment reforms.
The bill contains the most aggressive farm payment reforms to date -- the issue at the crux of the veto debate. Folks with over $500,000 in non-farm income will no longer qualify for farm program payments, an 80 percent reduction from current levels, and those with over $750,000 in farm income will no longer be eligible to receive direct payments.
The bottom line is we have eliminated the ability of millionaires to get these payments.
The fact of the matter is this bill represents a true compromise -- both by party and by region. Everyone involved gave a little to make this bill possible.
For years, I have driven across Minnesota's countryside, listening to the concerns of our food banks, farmers, and rural communities. I brought their message to the Senate Agriculture Committee, and with a bipartisan cast of legislators who truly care about agriculture, led by Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson in the House, together we have crafted a bill that provides the safety net our farmers need.
The bill represents a major win for Minnesota farmers, for our state's economy, and for our friends and neighbors in need of a helping hand.
Coleman, a Republican, represents Minnesota in the U.S. Senate.
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