"The overwhelming number of farmers and ranchers want to do right by the environment, and are certainly aware of government-sponsored incentive programs, but three-fourths of those who apply are turned away due to lack of funds."

• From the 1930s through the 1950s, the Bill was mostly about crop prices and subsidies, with a heavy focus on so-called commodity agriculture. Typically, this designation does not include most fruits and vegetables.



• The 1960s and 1970s saw a big expansion into feeding and nutrition, with the introduction of food stamps. For the first time, urban groups had an interest in the Farm Bill, and cooperated with their rural cousins by staying out of each other's way, and giving support when it was needed.



• In the 1980s and 1990s, conservation and environmental issues were added.



• In the 1990s and into the 2000s, more than half of the funds go to nutrition programs.

• Most farmers and ranchers do not benefit from current farm policies—especially those at the edge of urban areas, where 80% of America's fruits and vegetables are grown.



• Many Americans still do not have access to healthy, nutritious food. Yes, the Feds have guidelines in place, but current policies do not provide enough support to farmers who produce these crops.



• Given the incredible pace of development, whereby two acres of farmland are lost every minute of every day, fresh local foods in our communities are at risk.



• Subsidies are not helping rural communities prosper. In fact, the very communities that receive the greatest support have the lowest level of job creation. The majority of payments are made to about 20 congressional districts (out of 435).

"Overall, conservation spending will increase about 35 percent. The House has done much to enhance programs like the Farm and Ranch Land Protection program (increased to $280 million annually), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (increased to $2 billion annually for water quality, air quality, forestry, and programs to include socially disadvantaged farmers), and expanded the Cooperative Conservation program so farmers will be more effective by working together to address environmental issues."

"This bill significantly increases funding for the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program to get more children eating fruits and vegetables in our schools and expands a number of programs to support local food systems."

"Now the challenge is to push even further toward a better agriculture, food, and environmental future. There is much to do as the Senate begins their deliberations in September."