Senator Donnelly: Farm Bill Listening Session at Ancilla College Friday

November 7, 2017

Senator Donnelly will hold a Farm Bill Listening Session on Friday, November 10. This listening session will be on the campus of Ancilla College, in Cana Hall, 9601 Union Road, Plymouth, IN. Senator Donnelly is a member of the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. The current farm bill is scheduled to expire next year and, while these listening sessions are open to ideas on any agricultural issue, Senator Donnelly is looking especially for comments on farm policy issues that are important to consider in the writing of the new farm bill. We are very excited about this listening session at Ancilla and hope some of the young people there, who are looking for future in agriculture, are willing to share their thoughts.

For anyone who is not familiar with the farm bill, below are the titles included in the current legislation and a very brief summary of the various titles.

• Title I, Commodity Programs: Provides support for major commodity crops, including wheat, corn, soybeans, peanuts, rice, dairy, and sugar, as well as disaster assistance.

·         Title II, Conservation: Encourages environmental stewardship of farmlands and improved management through land retirement and/or working lands programs.

·         Title III, Trade: Provides support for U.S. agricultural export programs and international food assistance programs.

·         Title IV, Nutrition: Provides nutrition assistance for low income households through programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

·         Title V, Credit: Offers direct government loans to farmers and ranchers and guarantees on private lenders’ loans.

·         Title VI, Rural Development: Supports rural business and community development programs.

·         Title VII, Research, Extension, and Related Matters: Offers various agricultural research and extension programs.

·         Title VIII, Forestry: Supports forestry management programs run by USDA’s Forest Service.

·         Title IX, Energy: Encourages the development of farm and community renewable energy systems through various programs, including grants and loan guarantees.

·         Title X, Horticulture: Supports the production of specialty crops—fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and floriculture and ornamental products—through a range of initiatives.

·         Title XI, Crop Insurance: Enhances coverage of the permanently authorized federal crop insurance program.

·         Title XII, Miscellaneous: Covers other types of programs and assistance, including livestock and poultry