what is the farm bill?

images-2
This broad and complex piece of legislation comes up for renewal every five years and is due to expire September 2012. The Farm Bill is a nickname for the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act and covers much more than the name implies. It allocates federal funds for conventional, organic, and industrial farming, land conservation, renewable energy, rural economic development, and nutritional assistance programs.
It is responsible for large-scale commodity-farming subsidies and crop insurance, but also includes programs that affect small-scale, sustainable farmers and organic research. The majority of the bill funds the $70 billion-a-year food stamp program, with very little allotted for organic agriculture.
The Farm Bill is not easy to understand given the various interest groups with budgets at stake, the intricacies of politics, and the complex nature of the bill. In their download, ” Farm Bill 101, ”  American Farmland Trust outlines the issues covered in the bill, along with how the legislation impacts farmers of all sizes.
Learn more about the Farm Bill budget cuts and how they will affect the future of organic farming.

Share this post

Book a Consultation
Tell us about yourself
Send Us A Message
Tom Foerstel : Founder & President

Tom Foerstel

Founder & President

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60’s, Tom developed a strong desire to create positive change for people and planet.

He went on to pursue his passion for art and design at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and worked for design firms in Southern California before moving to Boise, Idaho in the early 80’s. Foerstel Design opened its doors in 1985. Since its inception, the firm has cultivated a bold, happy, forward-looking team focussed on creating distinct and effective work on behalf of their clients.

An integral part of Tom’s philosophy is giving back to the community in which he lives — a company cornerstone that drives Foerstel’s long history of providing pro-bono services to local non-profit humanitarian and arts programs.

One of Tom’s proudest personal achievements is his ability to say Supercalifragilisticexpyalidocious backwards.