By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The bipartisan conference report for the 5-year Farm Bill, which was passed by the House last Wednesday, contains a 55-percent increase in new resources dedicated to important potato industry priorities.
“This bipartisan bill, while not perfect, represents a true compromise that will greatly benefit Maine farmers and our state’s economy. It contains provisions that are critical to our crops, including potatoes, and it makes an historic investment in conservation programs,” said Congressman Mike Michaud of the nearly $100 billion-a-year Farm Bill. “It’s also a boon to our state’s organic farmers and continues support for Maine’s growing biomass industry.”
The bill funds critical programs that support organic research, marketing and certification cost share programs that will make a real difference for Maine’s organic farmers. In addition, the bill also makes a strong commitment to Maine’s specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables such as potatoes and blueberries, which are such a big part of the state’s agricultural economy.
“The bill contains the most significant government investment ever in the specialty crop industry of which the Maine potato industry is a part,” said Tim Hobbs, director of development/grower relations for the Maine Potato Board. “The Maine potato industry appreciates the role that Rep. Michaud has played in moving this important piece of legislation forward.”
Among the potato-related resources included in the Farm Bill are:
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative, which provides funding for critical research to address zebra chip, acrylamide, and Potato virus Y (PVY).
• Specialty Crop Block Grants, which provide funding for state-specific projects to promote and research potatoes.
• Market Access Program, which provides funding for specialty crops, including potatoes, to promote U.S. agriculture in foreign markets.
• Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, which addresses foreign market access barriers that block the export of U.S. agricultural products, including potatoes, from their intended destination.
The conservation and forestry provisions in the bill fund a variety of voluntary partnerships and cooperative conservation efforts between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private landowners. These initiatives represent the single largest federal investment in private-lands conservation.
The House passed the bill 251-166, and the U.S. Senate was expected to give its final approval yesterday. If approved, the bill will be sent to President Obama for his signature.
