Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012

This is the first of several blogs I will be posting on this issue

Every five years, Congress passes a bundle of legislation, commonly called the "Farm Bill" that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. The last Farm Bill was passed in 2008, and expires in 2012.
The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240) represents the most significant reforms in agricultural policy in decades. The bill ends direct payments, streamlines and consolidates programs, and reduces the deficit by $23 billion. It also strengthens top priorities that help farmers, ranchers, and small business owners continue to grow our economy.

Summary

Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act Summary (Committee Passed)

Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act Section-by-Section (Committee Passed)

Legislative Text

S. 3240 Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (Committee Passed)

Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (Committee Report)

Related Hearings
Business Meeting: Farm Bill Markup	328A Russell Senate Office Building	04/26/12 10:30AM
Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill	216 Hart Senate Office Building	03/15/12 09:00AM
Healthy Food Initiatives, Local Production, and Nutrition	216 Hart Senate Office Building	03/07/12 09:30AM
Strengthening Conservation Through the 2012 Farm Bill	216 Hart Senate Office Building	02/28/12 10:00AM
Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America	G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building	02/15/12 09:30AM
Looking Ahead: Kansas and the 2012 Farm Bill	Hilton Wichita Airport Hotel 2098 Airport Road Wichita, KS 67209	08/25/11 09:00AM
Opportunities for Specialty Crops and Organics in the Farm Bill	G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510	07/28/11 10:15AM
Growing Jobs in Rural America	G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building	07/14/11 09:30AM
The State of Livestock in America	106 Dirksen Senate Office Building	06/28/11 02:45PM
Farm Bill Accountability: The Importance of Measuring Performance, While Eliminating Duplication and Waste	G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building	06/23/11 09:30AM
Opportunities for Growth: Michigan and the 2012 Farm Bill	East Lansing, Michigan Kellogg Center, Michigan State University	05/31/11 09:00AM
Food for Thought: The Role, Risks and Challenges for American Agriculture and the Next Farm Bill in	216 Hart Senate Office Building	05/26/11 10:00AM
Agriculture: Growing America’s Economy	328A Russell Senate Office Building	02/17/11 02:30PM

Recent News

• Senator Roberts: USDA Grants Flexibility on School Meals; Waste and Cost Remain a Concern  12/10
• Senator Roberts Issues Statement on CFTC’s “Swaps Definitions” Rules  10/12
• Senator Roberts Concerned School Nutrition Programs Don’t Meet Needs of Active Students  10/3
• Chairwoman Stabenow Statement on Expiration of the Farm Bill, House Leadership Refusal to Act on Bipartisan Reforms  10/1
• Senator Roberts Encourages FDA to Swiftly Approve Aflatoxin Waivers  09/28

 
 

2008 Farm Bill

The measure we commonly call the "farm bill" is the single most important piece of legislation for improving the quality of life and economic vitality of our rural communities. It is also a food, agriculture, conservation, and energy bill that is of critical importance to every American and which has very significant consequences and ramifications around the globe.

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Final Public Law of the 2008 Farm Bill (P.L. 110-246)

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2008 Farm Bill Summary
Final Score of the 2008 Farm Bill from the Congressional Budget Office

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After the House and Senate both pass versions of legislation, the differences in the two versions are resolved by a conference committee. The documents below explain the changes made in the conference committee process during the 2008 Farm Bill negotiations:
Joint Statement of Managers
Complete Legal Language of Report (Title I - XV)