Record farm bill boosts state sector - Portland Business Journal:

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On Wednesday, President Bush vetoesd the five-year bill -- whichb was approved by every U.S. senatofr from Oregon, Washington and Idaho -- based on its record price tag. Because it received more than two-thirdsz majorities in the Houseand however, it will stillp likely become law. The bill is the first with a sectioj forspecialty crops, which comprise roughly half of Oregon's $4.9 billion agricultural industry. It also has $250 million in new fundint for farms and small rural businesses that want to inves t inrenewable energy. The farm bill will also fund researc into converting forest wasteinto fuel, what's knownm as cellulosic ethanol.
Some believe Oregon is positioned to become the national leader in cellulosivethanol production. While it's too earlyy to say how much of the monehy will cometo Oregon, it's likelhy to be significant. "Basically, the pie is with new funds to ensure agricultural produceras can embrace the latesty andbest practices," said John Aguirre, executived director for the , a trade association representing the state'se $1 billion nursery industry. Oregon's specialty crop growers could benefitthe most. Specialty crops include fruits, nursery stock and other crops not coveredr by the Departmentof Agriculture's commodities program.
Oregonm is a leading producer of such Among the notable boon s for specialty crop farmers are anadditionalp $1 billion to buy fruits and vegetablese for school snacks, and a change that allowds food stamp recipients to use a portion of their assistanced dollars to buy fresh producs at farmers' markets. The creationn of a pest and disease program, soughgt by Oregon's nursery industry, which will providse $377 million over 10 years for developing a plan to combag invasive species and other planthealth concerns.
Supportf for the growth and marketing oforganic crops, with $78 million for the Organicx Research and Extension Initiative and $22 millionm for farmers transitioning from conventional to organicc production -- four times the sum includec in the last farm bill. $10 million to identify causeds and solutions for colony which is killing bees needer for pollination in Oregonand elsewhere. An additional $3.4 billionb over the next 10 years forenvironmentalp conservation. Eligibility will also be expanded to include nurseries and wineries. $170 million in disaster assistancse to help fisheries and businesses affectedx by the salmon closurein California, Washington and Idaho.
Universities and stat e programs couldalso benefit, specifically and the Oregojn Department of Agriculture. In recenr years, as few as 15 perceny of agricultural research proposals have been according toStella Coakley, the associate dean for the Colleg of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon States University. She welcomed the addition of $1.5 billion in new researchb funding. "Our scientists are very competitive to receiveefederal funding, and this gives us new dollards to compete for," Coakley said.
Officiallty called the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of the bill has been criticized by activists for doing little to address the growing globalfood crisis, and for divertinb money that could be spent to feed poor children abroad.