*Updated 6/21/2012
Congress and Progress may rhyme but they rarely go together. However, the Farm Bill as it relates to farming and food security may be one of those rare bipartisan issues. The U.S. Senate has taken a significant step towards passing the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, commonly referred to as the 2012 Farm Bill. A deal was struck Monday night (June 19th) by leadership on both sides to limit the 300 or so offered amendments to 73 for consideration on the Senate floor. This agreement puts the finish line in sight with the passage of the U.S. Senate version of the Farm Bill likely to happen sometime Thursday.
The specialty crop provisions of the Farm Bill have limited exposure to the 73 amendments offered. However, the American Nursery & Landscape Association, along with our partners in the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance will be monitoring the situation closely. Please continue to communicate with your elected federal officials and share your support of the specialty crop provisions by clicking
here.
Despite initial reports that the U.S. House Agriculture Committee would make their version of the 2012 Farm Bill available later this week, recent comments from the committee's chair, Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK), suggest it will come after the July 4th recess, probably the week of July 9th.
