The 2008 Farm Bill—known officially as the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008—marked a historic moment in American agricultural policy. New Players and new partnerships shifted the debate in unprecedented ways, resulting in better programs and an increased focus on supporting the needs of producers and consumers.

Success in the 2008 Farm Bill: A New Direction for Farm and Food Policy [PDF]

A new direction for america

The progress and success of the 2008 Farm Bill can be measured in two ways:

1. Additional funding, improved effectiveness and the creation of new programs to address important priorities; and,
2. The unprecedented involvement and cooperation among previously disengaged stakeholder groups. The political landscape and the public debate have been changed forever.

While we may not have fully achieved all our goals, we will continue to build on our achievements in the 2012 farm bill and through other legislation to create even more effective and lasting reforms.