What is the farm bill?

A new farm bill was passed in 2008. Although most refer to this piece of legislation as 'the Farm Bill' it encompasses much more than just policies and subsidies for farmers. The 2008 Farm Bill will spend $300 billion from 2008 to 2012 ($60 billion/year), 73.5 percent of which is dedicated to the federal nutrition programs such as food stamps, WIC, food banks and school healthy snack and lunch programs. Food banks are facing increased demands due to increasing food costs and job losses. As an example, emergency assistance for food banks is part of the $10.3 billion increase to the nutrition title of the farm bill. The overall mission of the bill is to support the production of a reliable, safe and affordable supply of food and fiber; promote stewardship of agricultural land and water resources; facilitate access to American farm products at home and abroad; encourage continued economic and infrastructure development in rural America; and ensure continued research to maintain an efficient and innovative agricultural and food sector. Approximately 12 percent of the total bill will be spent on farm programs over the next five years. When you look at this amount in terms of the big picture, farm programs receive support at 1/4 of 1 percent of the total federal budget.