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Title IX: Energy of the Farm Bill addresses renewable energy programs used to incentivize research, development, and adoption of renewable energy projects and energy efficiency. However, “the primary focus of USDA renewable energy programs has been to promote U.S. biofuels production and use,” in particular corn-starch ethanol, which dominates the U.S. biofuels industry.[1] The cornerstone program…

The Farm Bill’s Title VIII: Forestry addresses forestry assistance, especially on private lands. “Many federal forestry assistane programs are already permanently authorized, and thus do not require reauthorization in the farm bill.”[1] However, the 2014 Farm Bill permanently authorizes two additional components: an expansion of Stewardship Contracting Authority and the Good Neighbor Authority.  Both are “tools the Forest Service uses to…

USDA conducts agricultural research at the federal level and provides support for cooperative research, extension, and post-secondary agricultural education programs in the states, through Title VII of the 2014 Farm Bill.[1]  Title VII: Research of the 2014 Farm Bill includes a few important reforms and new initiatives. The 2014 Farm Bill provides $200 million in mandatory funding to…

The Farm Bill’s Title VI: Rural Development addresses rural community and economic development through a variety of USDA programs, “from connecting rural communities to broadband Internet to providing . . . financing for rural small businesses”[1] These programs “support investments in the rural economy through grants, loans and loan guarantees with an emphasis on essential infrastructure, small business…

Programs under the Farm Bill’s Title V, Credit authorize USDA agricultural credit and rural development programs. In addition to these programs, the “USDA serves as a lender of last resort to farmers and ranchers who are denied direct credit by commercial lenders by providing direct and guaranteed loans.”[1] The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (ConAct) first authorized credit…

Title IV: Nutrition of Farm Bill addresses domestic food and nutrition and commodity distribution programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food and nutrition program. SNAP offers important nutritional support for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities on fixed incomes. In 2016, it helped more than 44 million Americans to nutritionally supplement their diets, almost 70% of…