US: A breakdown of the Senate’s annual food and farm spending bill

Each year, Congress debates and makes key decisions about federal funding priorities for all government agencies, programs, and initiatives – including programs and resources that support our nation’s farmers and ranchers.

This week marks an important step in that process (known as appropriations), as the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill to fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the coming fiscal year (FY), which begins on October 1. Overall, the bill provides $21.25 billion in discretionary funding, which is $250 million below the FY 2016 enacted level.

The House Appropriations Committee approved their bill several weeks ago, which means the next step in the process will be floor consideration and debate by both chambers, followed by negotiations to settle differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

The annual food, agriculture, and rural development spending bill approved by the Senate Committee this week includes some big wins for sustainable agriculture despite a very tough budget environment. Among the highlights in the bill are a funding increase for sustainable agriculture research, full funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and additional funding for outreach to beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers.

Read the breakdown at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition