The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has released the following statement following the U.S. House Agriculture Commitee's passage of the farm bill:
"We thank Chairman Thompson and his staff for including so many investments for specialty crops in his bill, as well as the countless Democrats and Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee who expressed strong support for them during Thursday's markup. Investments like these are vital to maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of our growers across the U.S. and to support a healthier America, and it's essential they appear in the final conference report.
Delivering a farm bill this year is imperative and will require bipartisan support on funding sources. It is now time for all parties to come together to develop that agreement and provide the certainty that specialty crop producers and the country overall deserve."
A national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations, the SCFBA represents growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. In early 2023, the alliance released a set of key policy priorities as part of its Farm Bill recommendations. Specialty crop production, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery and greenhouse commodities, contributes significantly to the U.S economy, accounting for $64.7 billion in farm gate value and 30 percent of farm cash receipts for crops.
The SCFBA is co-chaired by Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association; Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.
Florida Citrus Mutual also praises lawmakers
Florida Citrus Mutual, the state's largest citrus grower organization, is praising House lawmakers as they continue forming this year's farm bill.
The organization released a statement following a markup meeting in the House Agriculture Committee. Florida citrus farmers have faced hurdles in recent years, but Florida Citrus Mutual Executive Vice President and CEO Matt Joyner released a statement praising the work that House lawmakers are doing on the bill.
"Following the 2024 Farm Bill markup in the House Committee on Agriculture, Florida Citrus Mutual remains optimistic as the bill progressing to the House chamber prioritizes the domestic citrus industry," Joyner said. "Key legislative priorities and investments include the essential research needed to find solutions to overcome Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening). Notable among these is a $25 million appropriation annually for five years through the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust."
For more information:
Christina Morton
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Email: Email: [email protected]