WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, today released the following opening statement – as prepared for delivery – at the hearing entitled “Opportunities in Global and Local Markets, Specialty Crops, and Organics: Perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill.”
Stabenow’s statement follows:
As we well know, the 2014 Farm Bill supports and celebrates the diversity of American agriculture.
Whether you’re from a multi-generation farm family, a young person learning about urban agriculture, or even a returning veteran looking to start a career in agriculture – the Farm Bill helps all farmers access new opportunities and markets in their hometowns and throughout the world.
The strength of the U.S. agriculture sector is in part due to this diversity. In Michigan, we grow over 300 varieties of crops, ranging from carrots, celery and asparagus, to our world famous cherries, apples, and blueberries.
These specialty crops not only supply our communities with healthy fruits and vegetables – they are also an economic powerhouse, supporting jobs and fueling our economy.
Nationwide, sales of specialty crops total nearly $65 billion per year. That is because consumers seek out American grown products in local grocery stores and all around the world.
Programs in the 2014 Farm Bill, including specialty crop research, pest and disease management, and nutrition incentives, have been critical in helping farmers increase productivity and drive demand for these crops here and abroad.
Take the example of the small, but mighty, cherry – one of Michigan’s top crops. Our cherry capital, Traverse City, just held its annual festival celebrating this special fruit.
On average, Michigan grows over $90 million worth of cherries each year. Our cherries can be found in farmers markets and school lunches in Michigan, and on grocery shelves in countries like China, Germany, and the U.K thanks to key programs in the Farm Bill.
From marketing assistance to credit access, the Farm Bill creates export opportunities that connect our farmers to consumers around the world.
As a result, our agricultural exports add over $8.4 billion to the U.S. economy each year, while supporting more than 1 million American jobs on and off the farm.
We’re also seeing incredible growth in organics and the local food economy that connect our farmers to new opportunities.
U.S. retail sales for organic products have skyrocketed in the last decade, growing from $13 billion in 2005 to more than $43 billion today.
Local food sales have more than doubled from 2008 to 2014 – and industry experts expect that value to reach $20 billion by 2019.
Through targeted organic research, assistance for farmers transitioning into organic agriculture, and enforcement of organic standards, the Farm Bill is a critical tool to ensure consumers have choices in the grocery aisle and confidence in the organic products they purchase.
We’re seeing more and more consumers who want to learn about their food and where it comes from. Farmers markets provide opportunities for new farmers to get started.
Food hubs, value added production grants and supply chain support help them build stable businesses that can thrive while expanding access to healthy foods in areas that are, in many cases, food deserts.
It’s hard to believe that specialty crops, local food, and organics didn’t have a place in the Farm Bill prior to 2008.
Although these areas make up a small percentage of the Farm Bill budget compared to other titles, the impact of these investments has been enormous.
I’d like to submit testimony for the record from Dru Montri, owner of Ten Hens Farm and executive director of the Michigan Farmers Market Association, who knows firsthand how important these efforts have been to local farmers.
As we will hear today, these programs have proven their effectiveness.
It is critical that we continue to support the diversity of American agriculture as we write this next Farm Bill.
The success of our agricultural economy will require continued investment in markets and opportunities for all of our farmers.
Whether they are selling locally to their neighbor or exporting their products globally, and whether they are growing commodities, specialty crops, or organics– the Farm Bill should continue to help all of our producers to do what they do best: put food on our tables here and around the world.