Economic Research Service
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2008 Farm Bill Side-By-Side

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2008 Farm Bill Overview

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, enacted into law in June 2008, will govern the bulk of Federal agriculture and related programs for the next 5 years. Its 15 titles include administrative and funding authorities for programs that cover income and commodity price support, farm credit, and risk management; conservation though land retirement, stewardship of land and water resources, and farmland protection; food assistance and agricultural development efforts abroad and promotion of international access to American farm products; food stamps, domestic food distribution, and nutrition initiatives; rural community and economic development initiatives, including regional development, rural energy efficiency, water and waste facilities, and access to broadband technology; research on critical areas of the agricultural and food sector; accessibility and sustainability of forests; encouraging production and use of agricultural and rural renewable energy sources; and initiatives for attracting and retaining beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Among the Act's Provisions: The 2008 Farm Act continues many of the commodity programs introduced in recent farm legislation, adjusting payment levels and eligibility, while introducing a new average crop revenue election program. The Act introduces a permanent disaster assistance program and adjusts some details of the long-standing crop insurance program. Provisions for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers consistently provide enhanced support across most of the titles in the legislation.

New titles provide for horticultural crops and organic agriculture and for the livestock and poultry sector. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program continues with increased mandatory funding, and pest and disease management provisions authorize annually increasing funds for early detection and risk mitigation. Funding is increased and new programs established to support producers transitioning to organic agriculture, to tailor conservation programs to organic practices, and to increase research into organic agriculture, including for increased data collection. Livestock mandatory reporting expands and country-of-origin labeling continues, with some additional commodities added. New rules governing hog and poultry production contracts and meat and poultry plant food safety are introduced.

Conservation provisions emphasize and expand working land conservation and environmental practices, including the new Conservation Stewardship Program, which redesigns and expands the previous Conservation Security Program. Wetland restoration and farmland preservation programs continue, as do land retirement programs, although at reduced funding levels. The Credit Title adds new conservation loans, and the Forestry Title includes provisions for emergency private forest restoration.

Benefits and eligibility increase for the Food Stamp Program (FSP), renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beginning in 2009. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and farmers' market and food distribution programs also receive increased funding. The Trade title repeals several export assistance programs, while continuing and expanding market development programs. Provisions increase international food assistance and authorize a small pilot program for local or regional purchase and distribution of emergency international food assistance.

Rural development programs continue to emphasize business and economic development and enhanced infrastructure, especially for health care and communications systems. Value-added agricultural activities, including renewable energy and locally and regionally produced agricultural products also receive greater attention. Coordination of agricultural research, education, and extension programs is reorganized through a new National Institute for Food and Agriculture and most research funding becomes competitively awarded. New research initiatives are established for specialty and organic crops, bioenergy, nutrition, and honey bees and other pollinators.

The Energy Title expands existing programs and adds a number of new ones to encourage production, use, and development of biobased and other renewable energy sources. The 2008 Farm Act also includes a number of tax provisions, including several related to biofuels. Among these are a temporary production tax credit for cellulosic biofuels, reduction in the tax credit for ethanol after the Renewable Fuel Standard for ethanol is reached, and an extension of the additional duty on ethanol imported for fuel use through 2010.

For more information, contact: Farm policy team

Web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov

Updated date: August 20, 2008