Fighting for specialty crops

Since my days on the House Agriculture Committee, I have been fighting for specialty crops – everything from fruits and vegetables to nuts and nursery products.  Michigan is the second most diverse agricultural state in America, and we understand that all of our farmers deserve the support they need to get the job done for America.

The term “specialty crops” can sound misleading, making you think of some small sliver of America’s agricultural pie that produces niche products that most Americans will never see or use.  The reality is that specialty crops are an enormous piece of our agricultural economy and encompass the majority of farm products that you can buy at the local grocery and have when you sit down for dinner tonight.

Economically, specialty crops account for over half of the annual cash receipts from farm crops in America.  Historically, though, these crops have been under-represented in the farm bill.  The time has come to step up and show our support for the farmers who grow these essential products and for consumers seeking healthy food options.

That’s why I am so proud that 35 of my colleagues, Senators from all over the country and both sides of the aisle, have joined me in my call for the inclusion of specialty crops as a meaningful part of the upcoming farm bill.  In a recent bipartisan letter we asked Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Chambliss to fully fund the specialty crop programs that are vital to this important agriculture sector, to our national economy, and to the health and nutrition of all Americans. 

Previously this year I introduced legislation that I am hopeful will serve as a framework for a new specialty crop provision in the upcoming farm bill.  These provisions will assist farmers in developing crops that are more economically viable and environmentally friendly, help then expand new markets for specialty crops including increased access to foreign markets, provide research and administrative funding to combat pests and disease, and provide school nutrition programs with more fruits and vegetables.

The House Agriculture Committee has already made great strides in this area, providing critical programs with approximately $1.6 billion in mandatory funding over five years.  This includes programs that will, among other things, strengthen research, expand the “State Specialty Crop Competitiveness” projects to all 50 states, and enhance critical trade assistance and market promotion tools.

But we need to do more to meet the needs of specialty crop farmers throughout our country.  We need more resources for research and development, trade assistance and new and strengthened health and nutrition programs. 
It is important to remember that this funding isn’t just a matter of agricultural economics; it is an issue of Americans’ nutrition. 

Supporting our specialty crop growers and making more fruits and vegetables available in our schools will strengthen already existing school lunch, school breakfast and school snack programs.  We should also look to extend these benefits to federal programs that already exist under the nutrition title of the farm bill.  Children, senior citizens, working families—all of these groups and more will benefit when the government works to make fruits and vegetables available to federal nutrition programs.

Specialty crops are vital to our economy and to our way of life.  They provide staples for a healthy diet and provide a majority of cash receipts when it comes to our agricultural markets.  Over 120 organizations from all over America have joined our bipartisan fight on behalf of specialty crop growers.  Together we all understand that this is a long overdue improvement in our agricultural policy.  It’s time for Congress to step up and make sure specialty crops get the attention and support they deserve in the farm bill.
 
Stabenow is a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Budget; and Finance committees.

Special section: Agriculture

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Fighting for specialty crops