Ashley Rittenhouse has an interesting story today in the Marietta Times on some thoughts from opinion leaders in Ohio and Washington on the future of food and nutrition programs:
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, otherwise known as the Farm Bill, expires in 2012 and there’s a debate over changes that could come with its renewal and portions that could be eliminated.
That includes concerns locally and in Ohio about whether funding for food and nutrition programs and farm subsidies could dry up.
The legislation drives federal spending and policies on agriculture, nutrition and conservation programs, ranging from crop insurance to food stamps.
The 2008 Farm Bill contained 15 titles covering support for, among other things, commodity crops, horticulture and livestock, conservation, nutrition, trade and food aid, agricultural research, farm credit, rural development and energy and forestry, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The administration and other deficit reduction task forces have submitted budget proposals to reduce farm supports, while many farm sector advocates support the status quo.
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