The Farm Bill signed into law last month shows a growing shift in America’s agricultural industry. Organic farmers, fruit growers and hemp producers are a main focus on the bill. Organic food is the fastest-growing sector of the food business and support for organic farming provisions in the bill had broad support from both parties.
Meanwhile SNAP is taking a backseat. Liberals fought against any cuts to food stamps, including the "heat or eat" provisions. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, strongly defended her bill’s budget from Republicans looking to make additional cuts and stood firm against drug testing for food stamp recipients. She was so persistent her aides would say that some senators would actually fear her approach. Despite this argument to secure food assistance, billions were cut from SNAP.
For fruit and vegetable farmers, insurance coverage for all their crops became reality. The 75-year restriction on industrial hemp has been lifted as well; the Cannabis plant can now be refined into oil, wax, rope, cloth, pulp and other products. This new Farm Bill represents a drastic change in American consumption – for better or worse.
Source: New York Times
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