The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008

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

Changing course among entrenched farm policy interests is never an easy task, but the 2008 Farm Bill—and the process leading up to its passage—has truly shifted the political landscape and laid the groundwork for continued reform.

The final bill provides critical new funding for several programs and makes improvements to increase program effciencies and effectiveness. The new farm bill includes:

• Strengthened conservation and farmland protection programs.
• An improved government safety net that is better for farmers and less costly for taxpayers.
• Support for local foods, farmers markets and healthy diets.
• Funding for renewable energy to advance environmentally responsible energy production.
• Dramatic increases in food assistance for families struggling with rising food costs.

While the final compromise bill does not include all of the reforms we would like to see, it is a significant improvement in U.S. farm and food policy. We will build off these new programs, better policies and increased funding now and in the future.

Change has begun, but none of these victories are permanent. The wins must be secured in rulemaking and appropriations and then built upon to keep the momentum moving forward for long-term success. American Farmland Trust is committed to being there every step of the way to keep the United States on course for an equitable, strong and vibrant farm and food future.

More:

• Full farm bill text and title-by-title fact sheets from the House Agriculture Committee website
• The 2008 Farm Bill: A New Direction for America [PDF]
• Farm bill legislative process