WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren voted today in support of the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007 which passed the House Friday. The Farm Bill makes family farmers a priority and supports nutrition programs that help families in need.
“Our farmers and ranchers provide the safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world and they needed our help,” Boren said. “For generations, Oklahomans have relied on the land to make their living. Our labor of love for the soil is rooted deep in the Oklahoma tradition.”
The Farm Bill reforms the government subsidy program, crop insurance program, and directs funds to working family farmers and ranchers. The legislation guarantees a historic $1.5 billion in funding for fruit and vegetable programs, which traditionally have not received Farm Bill benefits. It also includes transparency rules to ensure the public knows taxpayer dollars are getting to the family farmers who need them.
“Congress has passed this important bill to give working families, farmers, and ranchers the support they need,” Boren said. “This bill will make rural Oklahoma stronger, and help fight hunger in our country.”
The bill expands nutrition programs that help 35 million low-income families, including nearly doubling the funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program. This program provides the necessary resources for food banks, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding sites. It also extends the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states.
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