Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

Issue Position: Agriculture

Agriculture
Pennsylvania's proud agriculture tradition helped to build the Commonwealth and agriculture continues to drive our economy. Agriculture remains Pennsylvania's number one industry.

I am honored to represent Pennsylvania's interests as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. I am proud of the accomplishments we made in the 2008 Farm Bill to make the bill more fair for Pennsylvania. Agriculture is Pennsylvania's top economic sector and Pennsylvania is a large state, but in the past we have not received equitable treatment as other state under farm programs programs.

Specifically, working together with farmers and agriculture organizations, I was able to include new provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill bill that helps make crop insurance more affordable for Pennsylvania growers, a new program to help farmers meet their commitment to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, a new dairy feed adjustor that increases counter-cyclical payments to dairy producers when milk prices drop but the cost of feed for dairy cows remains high, and an innovative new section of the bill that provides a historic commitment to helping fruit, vegetable and horticulture growers.

I am optimistic that the 2008 Farm bill will help keep Pennsylvania farmers productive, competitive and successful, and I will continue to work with Pennsylvania farmers as we implement the Farm Bill.

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