U.S. farm bill

The U.S. farm bill is the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the Federal government of the United States. The comprehensive omnibus bill is passed every several years by the United States Congress and deals with both agriculture and all other affairs under the purview of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The current farm bill, known as the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, replaces the last farm bill which expired in September 2007. Farm bills can be highly controversial and can impact international trade, environmental preservation, food safety, and the well-being of rural communities. The agricultural subsidy programs mandated by the farm bills are the subject of intense debate both within the U.S. and internationally.

Past farm bills

*Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933
*Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938
*Agricultural Act of 1948
*Agricultural Act of 1949
*Agricultural Act of 1954
*Agricultural Act of 1956
*Food and Agricultural Act of 1965
*Agricultural Act of 1970
*Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act of 1973
*Food and Agriculture Act of 1977
*Agriculture and Food Act of 1981
*Food Security Act of 1985
*Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
*Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
*Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
*Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008

External links

* [http://www.farmland.org/programs/campaign/farmbill.asp American Farmland Trust]
* [http://www.mulchblog.com/ Recipient database]
* [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071231/pentland_gumpert USDA Bets the Farm on Animal ID Program]
* [http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/farmbills/ U.S. Farm Bills]

References