Ag Secretary Explains Changes in His Agencys Role Due to Farm Bill Passage
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently outlined some new responsibilities his agency will assume, resulting from the passage of the farm bill.
“We need to continue the profitability of large-scale commercial sized operations. We need to continue to promote programs and policies that will ensure that profitability will remain,” he said. “At the same time, we have the responsibility to preserve and expand mid-sized operations coming up with new ways to create income opportunities so folks don’t necessarily have to give up the farm.”
Other key farm bill highlights include:
- Opportunity for promotion of biofuel products. “We think the world is ready for American biofuels,” says Vilsack.
- Opportunity for credit programs. “We will work by the end of the year to institute the beginning farm provisions of greater credit opportunities to make credit more easily available for beginning farmers and improve and upgrade our microloan program,” he said.
- Make sure the market assistance loan program is ready and clarified.
- There is currently a record enrollment in conservation programs, “and we want to build on that record. We are already taking applications under EQIP and the Management Assistance Program.”
- The USDA is preparing to establish the educational and training materials that will be used to educate farmers and USDA field staff on new programs.
- Work will begin this summer to establish research foundation to allow an additional $400 million in ag research.
- Begin allocating organic cost share payments.