Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Conference Report
Floor Speech
FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT OF 2008--CONFERENCE REPORT -- (Senate - May 15, 2008)
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Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the conference report to accompany the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. It is a good bill for Florida and I commend Chairman Harkin, Senator Chambliss, Chairman Baucus, Senator Grassley, and the members of both committees for all of their tireless work to pass this bill.
First and foremost, this bill provides a substantial increase in food assistance to our Nation's low-income families. Nearly three-fourths of the total spending of the farm bill goes in fact to nutrition programs such as food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Not only do we increase purchasing power of these benefits but we also change how a family's need may be calculated; it will take into account childcare costs and education and retirement savings.
For the first time in history the farm bill also takes into account an agricultural sector that is of the utmost importance in Florida--specialty crops. Florida is the leading producer of citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, snap beans, bell peppers, squash and watermelon, and is the second leading producer of strawberries, sweet corn, and greenhouse and nursery products. This legislation recognizes the importance of crops such as these as an integral part of our Nation's food supply, and provides nearly $3 billion in research, block grants to states, pest and disease control, farmers' market promotion, and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
Of similar importance are the strides made in this bill for conservation and energy programs. Florida's natural resources stand to benefit tremendously from increased funding for conservation, which will allow the State to optimize participation in land preservation, environmentally friendly land management practices, and easement programs. Correspondingly, the bill notably encourages advancements in cellulosic energy, which will allow us to explore the production of ethanol from agricultural products that we don't otherwise eat--products in which Florida is rich.
There are many significant improvements for Florida in this conference report. It is not a perfect bill, but it increases funding and support for integral programs while also making reforms to a sometimes abused system. It is a good bill for Florida, and I encourage the President to support it.
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