The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) at a Glance

The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) at a Glance

Order Code RL34113
The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
at a Glance
Updated August 31, 2007
Renée Johnson, Coordinator,
Geoffrey S. Becker, Ralph M. Chite, Tadlock Cowan,
Ross W. Gorte, Charles E. Hanrahan, Remy Jurenas,
Jim Monke, Jean M. Rawson, Randy Schnepf, Jasper Womach,
and Jeffrey A. Zinn
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Joe Richardson
Domestic Social Policy Division

The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
at a Glance
Summary
This report describes the major provisions in the House-passed 2007 farm bill
(H.R. 2419, H.Rept. 110-256) and compares them with current law. By title, major
provisions in H.R. 2419 are as follows:
! Title I, Commodity Programs: Changes payment limits, modifies
loan rates and target prices among commodities, and adds a revenue
counter-cyclical payment option, among other program changes.
! Title II, Conservation: Reauthorizes, expands, and/or modifies
existing programs, and creates new programs and initiatives.
! Title III, Agricultural Trade and Aid: Reauthorizes funding for
USDA’s food aid, export market development, and export credit
guarantee programs; addresses barriers to U.S. agriculture exports.
! Title IV, Nutrition: Increases food stamp benefits and modifies
food stamp eligibility rules, limits state food stamp “privatization”
initiatives, allows “geographic preference” when buying food for
schools, and adds money for fresh fruit and vegetable programs for
schools and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
! Title V, Agricultural Credit: Expands borrowing opportunities
under USDA’s Farm Service Agency loan programs, but does not
allow expansion of Farm Credit System lending, as originally
allowed in the House-reported bill.
! Title VI, Rural Development: Reauthorizes, expands, and/or
modifies existing programs, creates new programs, and allows some
to expire.
! Title VII, Research: Reorganizes the administration of USDA’s
research, extension, and economic agencies, requires the President
to submit a unified annual budget across agencies, and establishes a
new national institution to administer all competitive programs.
! Title VIII, Forestry: Proposes changes to existing forestry
provisions and allows one program to expire.
! Title IX, Energy: Reauthorizes, expands, and/or modifies existing
programs, and creates new programs and initiatives.
! Title X, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture: Creates a new
farm bill title and provides mandatory funding over five years for
specialty crop block grants; and provides additional mandatory
funding in the areas of pest and disease detection, purchases for
nutrition programs, direct producer-to-consumer marketing, and
organic certification cost-sharing.
! Title XI, Miscellaneous: Changes to crop insurance, animal welfare
and inspections, and country-of-origin labeling, among others.
The House-passed H.R. 2419 also authorizes budget offsets to compensate for
additional spending on programs in the nutrition and energy titles. Background and
additional information are available in CRS Report RL33934, Farm Bill Proposals
and Legislative Action in the 110th Congress, coordinated by Renée Johnson.

Contents
Summary of Major Provisions: House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
and Current Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
TITLE I: Commodities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
TITLE III: Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
TITLE IV: Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TITLE V: Agricultural Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TITLE VI: Rural Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
TITLE VII: Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
TITLE VIII: Forestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
TITLE IX: Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
TITLE X: Horticulture and Organic Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
TITLE XI: Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill
(H.R. 2419) at a Glance
This report describes the major provisions in the House-passed 2007 farm bill
(H.R. 2419, H.Rept. 110-256) and compares them with current law. This comparison
does not provide an exhaustive list of all provisions by individual sections or
subsections within each title. Nor does it provide a detailed discussion of the budget
offsets to cover additional spending on programs in the nutrition and energy titles that
were adopted as part of the Manager’s Amendment and En Bloc Reserve Fund
Amendment.1
By farm bill title, major provisions in H.R. 2419 and under current law are as
follows:
! Title I, Commodity Programs: Current law covers income and
price support to growers of selected farm commodities, including
wheat, feed grains, cotton, rice, oilseeds, peanuts, sugar, and milk.
Commodity support is largely through direct payments, counter-
cyclical payments, and marketing loans, along with other support
mechanisms including government purchases, marketing quotas, and
import barriers. H.R. 2419 makes changes to payment limits,
modifies loan rates and target prices among commodities, and adds
a revenue counter-cyclical payment option, among other program
changes.
! Title II, Conservation: Current law contains authority for programs
that encourage the environmental stewardship of farmlands and
improved management practices through land retirement and
working lands programs, among other programs geared to farmland
conservation, preservation, and resource protection. H.R. 2419
reauthorizes, expands, and/or modifies existing programs, and
creates new programs and initiatives.
! Title III, Agricultural Trade and Aid: Current law contains
authority for U.S. agricultural exports and international food
assistance programs, and various World Trade Organization
obligations. H.R. 2419 reauthorizes funding for USDA’s
international food aid export market development, export credits,
and export guarantees, as well as addressing barriers to U.S.
agriculture exports.
! Title IV, Nutrition: Current law governs the domestic food and
nutrition and commodity distribution programs, such as food stamps
and other supplemental food assistance. H.R. 2419 increases food
1 Text on the adopted amendments is available from the House Rules Committee at
[http://www.rules.house.gov/110/special_rules/hr2419/parta_2419.pdf].

CRS-2
stamp benefits and modifies food stamp eligibility rules, limits state
food stamp “privatization” initiatives, allows “geographic
preference” when buying food for schools, and adds money for fresh
fruit and vegetable programs for schools and The Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP).
! Title V, Agricultural Credit: Current law addresses federal direct
and guaranteed farm loan program issues, including loan eligibility
rules and other policies. H.R. 2419 expands borrowing
opportunities under USDA’s Farm Service Agency loan program.
It does not allow expansion of Farm Credit System lending, as
originally allowed in the House-reported bill.
! Title VI, Rural Development: Current law contains authority for
rural business and community programs for planning, feasibility
assessments, and coordination activities with other local, state, and
federal programs, including expanding rural broadband access. H.R.
2419 reauthorizes, expands, and/or modifies existing programs,
creates new programs, and allows some provisions to expire.
! Title VII, Research: Current law covers agricultural research and
extension programs, including biosecurity and response,
biotechnology, and organic production. H.R. 2419 reorganizes the
administration of USDA’s research, extension, and economic
agencies, requires the President to submit a unified annual budget
across agencies, and establishes a new national institution to
administer all competitive programs.
! Title VIII, Forestry: Current law contains authority for USDA
Forest Service programs, including forestry management,
enhancement, and agroforestry programs. H.R. 2419 changes
existing forestry provisions and allows one program to expire.
! Title IX, Energy: Current law contains authority for bioenergy
programs and grants for procurement of biobased products to
support development of biorefineries and to assist eligible farmers,
ranchers, and rural small businesses in purchasing renewable energy
systems and for bioenergy use. H.R. 2419 reauthorizes, expands,
and/or modifies existing programs, and creates new programs and
initiatives.
! Title X, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture: The 2002 farm
(P.L. 107-171) bill did not contain a separate horticulture title. H.R.
2419 provides mandatory funding over five years for specialty crop
block grants and additional mandatory funding for pest and disease
detection, purchases for nutrition programs, direct producer-to-
consumer marketing, and organic certification cost-sharing.
! Title XI, Miscellaneous: This title covers other USDA programs
and assistance, which is modified by H.R. 2419, including the
current crop insurance program, animal welfare and inspections, and
country-of-origin labeling requirements, among other provisions.
Background and additional information are available in CRS Report RL33934,
Farm Bill Proposals and Legislative Action in the 110th Congress. Also see the
CRS Farm Bill and Farm Policy current legislative issues Web page at
[http://apps.crs.gov/cli/cli.aspx?PRDS_CLI_ITEM_ID=641&from=3&fromId=1].

CRS-3
Summary of Major Provisions: House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) and Current Law
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
TITLE I: Commodities
Direct payments
Fixed, direct payments tied to historic base acres and yield.
No change in payment rates, reauthorized through 2012 crop year. Eliminate advanced
Support largely is decoupled from current production.
payment in 2012 crop year.
Counter-cyclical payments
Price-based safety net makes payments when market price
Retains price-based counter-cyclical payments through 2012 crop year. Creates new revenue
falls below the “target price.” Formula is based on historic
counter-cyclical payment (based on national-level revenues), and gives producers a one-time
acreage and yields.
option to choose either revenue or price based payments. Eliminates advanced payments in
2011 crop year, and delays final payments until a new fiscal year for some commodities in
crop years 2008-2010. Modifies target prices: increases for wheat, barley, oats, soybeans,
and other oilseeds; decrease for cotton.
Marketing loans
Safety net for commodity prices based on actual production.
No change in structure through 2012. Modifies loan rates: Increase wheat, barley, oats, minor
Offers the option of loans with special reduced repayment
oilseeds, wool, and small chickpeas. Decrease dry peas and lentils. Change calculation of
terms, or cash payments (LDP) when market price is less
cotton repayment rate to use “Far East” market price. Create economic adjustment assistance
than loan rate. Loan rate set in statute.
program (4¢/lb) for domestic users of upland cotton for construction and modernization of
facilities and equipment.
Payment limits
—
$360,000 combined cap on direct payments, counter-
—
Tightens limits by: (1) reducing the AGI limit to $1 million with no exceptions, and
cyclical payments, and marketing loans (except for
to $500,000 unless more than 67% of AGI is from farming, (2) eliminating the
repayment with certificates or forfeiture, which are
“3-entity rule,” which allows individuals to double their payments by having multiple
unlimited). This is the amount after doubling with 3-
ownership interests, and (3) requiring “direct attribution” of payments to a natural
entity rule and spouse allowances.
person.
—
$2.5 million Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) means
—
Relaxes limits by (1) raising the limit on direct payments from $40,000 to $60,000,
test (no payments if AGI is greater than the payment
and (2) eliminating the $75,000 limit on the marketing loan program. This results in a
limit), except if 75% of AGI is from farming.
$250,000 limit on direct and counter-cyclical payments after spouse doubling, and no
limits on marketing loans.

CRS-4
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
Payments to small farms or non-farmers
No limitation or threshold.
Eliminates direct and counter-cyclical payments less than $25. Permanently denies benefits if
convicted of defrauding USDA.
Planting flexibility
Although other program crops can be planted on base acres
No change in fruit and vegetable planting restriction. Pilot program allowing up to 10,000
without penalty, producers are prohibited from planting fruits
acres of tomatoes for processing in Indiana, with a temporary reduction of base acres.
and vegetables on base acres.
Dairy
—
Dairy price support program purchases dairy products
—
Continues the dairy price support program through 2012, but changes the program to
to support the farm price of milk.
directly support the price of cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk.
—
Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) makes payments
—
Extend MILC program.
to farmers if market price is less than target price.
Sugar
Guarantees a minimum price to processors of sugar crops
Extends the structure of sugar program, but:
(and in turn, producers). Makes nonrecourse loans to
processors at specified loan rates. Requires USDA to operate
—
Increases loan rates by almost 3%
program at “no cost” by limiting amount of sugar that
—
Replaces accommodation made for sugar import commitments by guaranteeing
processors can sell under “marketing allotments” and
minimum 85% market share to domestic production sector
restricting imports under quotas. Accommodates a specified
—
Prescribes (tightens) USDA administration of sugar import quota authority
level of sugar imports under U.S. trade commitments; if more
—
Mandates use of surplus sugar (equal to amount that imports exceed U.S. food
sugar enters, allotments must be terminated.
demand) for ethanol production.

CRS-5
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
TITLE II: Conservation
Working Lands Programs
Authorizes working lands programs, such as the
—
Expands EQIP funding, increases activities under the Conservation Innovation Grants
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the
subprogram, adds forestry provisions, and requires that a portion of funds assist
Conservation Security Program (CSP), Wildlife Habitat
beginning, socially-disadvantaged, and limited resource producers. New budget
Incentives Program (WHIP), and other programs that provide
authority of $1.9 billion over five years.
assistance installing/implementing conservation practices on
—
Replaces CSP’s 3-tiered and 4-payment structure with no tiers and annual stewardship
lands in production.
enhancement payments; other program changes. Prohibits additional CSP signups
until 2012 by capping funding; provides slightly more funding after 2009.
—
Extends WHIP at current authorized funding level.
Land Retirement Programs
Authorizes land retirement programs, such as the
—
Extends CRP. Includes new provision allowing retired landowners to modify
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wetland Reserve
contracts if land is transferred to beginning or socially disadvantaged producer.
Program (WRP), and Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP).
Provides that only land enrolled in general CRP sign-ups is eligible for early
Encourages restoring land (cropland, grassland and wetlands)
termination. Allows land to be transferred into GRP under longer retirement contracts
by retiring it from production.
—
Renews/expands enrollment in WRP. Increases WRP’s enrollment ceiling and
modifies USDA appraisal process. New budget authority of $1.9 billion over
five-years (CBO).
—
Renews/expands enrollment in GRP; provides for third party ownership,
negotiation and enforcement.
Farmland Protection Programs
Authorizes the (renamed) Farm and Ranchland Protection
—
Increases FRPP funding; makes changes to certification process for states and eligible
Program (FRPP) to keep productive farmland from
entities; and USDA program administration.
conversion to other uses.

Watershed Protection Programs
Authorizes conservation activities at watershed scale,
—
Creates new Regional Water Enhancement Program (RWEP) under EQIP.
including a new Chesapeake Bay Program for Nutrient
—
Renews/funds the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Program (Provides mandatory and
Reduction and Sediment Control, and reauthorizes several
discretionary funding; $200 million in baseline for program funding.
programs, including the Small Watershed Rehabilitation
—
Provides additional funds new resources for the Chesapeake Bay Region (includes
Program.
$25 million for a pilot program; $150 million for river restoration).
—
Reauthorizes programs for Great Lakes and grassroots source water protection.

CRS-6
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
Conservation Innovation Grants Program
Authorizes the Conservation Innovation Grants program that
—
Extends/expands funding ($20 million annually 2008-2012).
provides competitive grants for State and local governments,
—
Establishes a (1) comprehensive conservation planning pilot for the Chesapeake Bay;
non-profits, and individuals to help identify, test, and
(2) funds for outreach to fruit, vegetable and organic producers; (3) $150 million for
implement innovative environmental solutions.
air quality programs; and (4) provides for air quality funding.
Payment limits on conservation programs
Current law sets a fiscal year payment limit of $450,000 for
Sets an overall fiscal year payment limit of $60,000 for any single conservation program and
EQIP cost-share and incentive payments and $50,000 for
$125,000 for all programs (excludes WRP, FRPP, and GRP).
CRP rental and incentive payments; no more general payment
limits.
Miscellaneous / New Provisions
No provision.
Creates new programs:
—
Creates new Cooperative Conservation Program Initiative to allows third parties to
help identify conservation areas/issues.
—
Creates new Open Fields Program that creates incentives for public access to private
land for hunting and fishing.
—
Creates new pilot conservation program for four-year crop rotation for peanuts.
—
Creates a new public access program with a wildlife focus
—
Requires development of a simplified conservation application process within 1 year
of enactment.
Market-based Approach to Farm Conservation
No existing provision.
Establishes an Environmental Services Standards Board and provides grants to facilitate the
development of private-sector market-based approaches for environmental goods and services
involving agriculture and forestry (authorized at $50 million).

CRS-7
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
TITLE III: Trade
P.L. 480 Food Aid
Authorizes donations and concessional financing of U.S.
P.L. 480 food aid programs extended to 2012.
agricultural commodities to developing/transition countries.
1.
Increases funds to support operations of food aid implementers to not less than 7% and not
more than 12% of funds available to the program; allows funds for program monitoring and
1.
Allows 5-10% of funds for commodity donations to
evaluation.
support food aid implementing organizations.
2.
Permits monetization (sale) of donated commodities to 2.
Continues authority to monetize commodities.
generate funds for projects in recipient countries.
3.
Sets minimum assistance at 2.5 million metric tons, mmt, 3.
Maintains current minimum levels of commodities provided; authorizes $450 million non-
(1.875 mmt is for non-emergency development aid).
emergency (development) assistance, which could be waived only by act of Congress.
4.
Allocates 0.5% of funds for P.L. 480 to a Farmer-to-Farmer 4.
Extends Farmer-to-Farmer program to 2012, with minimum funding of not less than 0.5%
program of voluntary technical assistance.
or $10 million; authorizes appropriations of $15 million for Farmer-to-Farmer programs
in developing countries.
5.
Allows no more than $2 million of P.L. 480 funds for 5.
Increases funds for pre-positioning to not less than $8 million/year.
commodity pre-positioning for emergency relief.
Other Food Aid Programs
1.
Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust: A reserve of Extends all three programs through 2012.
commodities and cash to meet unanticipated needs for
emergency food aid or when U.S. agricultural commodities
are too limited to meet P.L. 480 needs.
2.
Food for Progress: A minimum of 400,000 mt of U.S.
agricultural commodities for market-oriented agricultural Changes the funding basis of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and
development in developing/transition countries.
Child Nutrition Program from discretionary to mandatory and authorizes funding of $140
million for FY2009; $170million for FY2010; $230 million for FY2011; and $300 million for
3.
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and FY2012.
Child Nutrition Program: Authorizes such sums as may be
necessary to provide U.S. commodities, funds, and technical
assistance to establish school feeding and child nutrition
programs in developing countries.
Export Credit Guarantee Program
Authorizes short-term (6 months — 3 years) and
Extends program through 2012. Repeals authority for intermediate export credit guarantees
intermediate-term (3 — 10 years) guarantees of private,
and removes 1% cap on origination fees for guarantees. These changes are intended to bring
commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports.
export credit guarantees into conformity with the decision in the U.S.-Brazil WTO cotton

CRS-8
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
dispute. Repeals short-term, open account (non-bank intermediation) guarantees (the Supplier
Credit Guarantee Program).
Export Market Promotion and Export Subsidies
1.
Market Access Program (MAP): Cost-share federal Extends MAP, FMDP, EMP, and EEP through 2012.
funding of export market development for generic and Makes changes to Market Access Program:
branded agricultural commodities.
—
Makes organic agricultural commodities eligible for MAP promotions.
—
Increases MAP funding from $200 million in FY2007 to $225 million annually
2.
Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP):
from FY2008-FY2012.
Cost-share federal funding of export market development of
mainly generic (bulk) commodities.
3.
Emerging Markets Program(EMP): A set of programs to
promote US. agricultural exports in countries taking steps
toward market-oriented development of agriculture with
potential to become U.S. export markets.
4.
Export Enhancement Program (EEP): direct export
subsidies for U.S. agricultural commodities.
Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) barriers to U.S. agricultural exports and trade disputes
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program
Increases funds for TASC from $2 million in FY2007 to $4 million in FY2008; increases to
provides $2 million annually to assist in removal of SPS
$10 million annually in FY2011 and FY2012. Authorizes appropriations for technical
barriers to U.S. agricultural exports
assistance to limited resource persons and organizations for the resolution of trade disputes
and for U.S. representation in international standard setting bodies.
TITLE IV: Nutrition
Extension of Expiring Authorities
All nutrition program authorities (e.g., authorizations for
Extends all expiring authorities through FY2012.
appropriations) expire at the end of FY2007.
Renaming the Food Stamp Program
No similar provision.
Renames the Food Stamp Program as the Secure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

CRS-9
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
Increased Food Stamp Benefits
When calculating food stamp benefits, a portion of recipient’s
Increases the standard deduction to $145 and indexes it. Removes the limits on dependent
income is disregarded — (1) a “standard deduction”
care expense deductions. Disregards combat-related military pay. Increases minimum
(typically, $134/month) and (2) dependent care expenses
benefits to 10% of the value of the maximum food stamp benefit for a 1-person household (an
(limited to $175-$200/month, depending on dependent’s age).
increase estimated to average $8 a month over the life of the farm bill).
A portion of other expenses (e.g., shelter costs) also is
disregarded. Disregarding income has the effect of increasing
food stamp benefits. Minimum benefits for 1- and 2-person
households set at $10/month.
Liberalized Food Stamp Asset Eligibility Standards
Households eligible for food stamp benefits must have liquid
Indexes the dollar limits on liquid assets. Disregards all retirement plans/savings and
assets of less than $2,000 (or $3,000 for those with
postsecondary education savings.
elderly/disabled members). The dollar limit is not indexed,
and some retirement plans/savings and all savings for
postsecondary education are counted as assets. A
household’s home, personal belongings, furnishings, and (in
most cases) the value of its vehicle are not counted.
“Privatization” of Food Stamp Program Administration
State “merit-system” employees must certify eligibility for
Places substantial new limits on the ability of states to “privatize” (e.g., contract out)
food stamps.
administration of the Food Stamp program.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
TEFAP has mandatory funding of $140 million a year to
Increases the mandatory funding level for TEFAP to $250 million a year (indexed to food
acquire commodities for distribution through emergency
prices).
feeding organizations.
Fruits and Vegetables
Provides for a pilot project — operating in 14 states and on 3
Increases (to $70 million a year) funding for the fresh fruit and vegetable project and makes it
Indian reservations and funded at $15 million (FY2007).
available in all states (although not all schools). Increases (to $75 million a year) the set-aside
About 400 schools offer free fresh fruits and vegetables to
for the DoD Fresh program.
their students. Sets aside $50 million a year in school meal
program funding for a transfer to the Department of Defense
for a “DoD Fresh” program through which fresh fruits and

CRS-10
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
vegetables are made available to schools as part of their
school meal entitlement.
Geographic Preference
Schools receiving meal assistance and the DoD Fresh
Generally overrides rules that limit the extent to which schools and the DoD Fresh program
program generally are prohibited from specifying a
can specify a geographic preference (e.g., for locally produced food items) in their
geographic preference when they procure food items.
procurements.
TITLE V: Agricultural Credit
1. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loan Programs
a. Maximum lending limit
$200,000 per borrower for direct farm ownership loans
Increases lending limits per farmer to $300,000 for direct farm ownership loans and $300,000
(dating from 1984) and $200,000 for direct operating loans
for direct operating loans
(dating from 1986).
b. Beginning and socially-disadvantaged farmers
Reserves part of the loan volume for beginning farmers: 70%
—
Further prioritizes lending for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers by
of direct farm ownership loans, 35% of direct operating loans,
increasing the amounts reserved for these groups.
25% of guaranteed ownership loans, and 40% of guaranteed
—
Extends the right of first refusal to reacquire a homestead property to the family of a
farm operating loans. Funds also targeted to “socially
socially disadvantaged borrower-owner.
disadvantaged” farmers based on race, gender, and ethnicity.
—
Restores priority given to socially disadvantaged farmers whenever the USDA sells or
leases property.
c. Conservation loan guarantee program
No provision.
Creates a special loan guarantee program for soil and water conservation and protection
projects that gives priority to qualified beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged
farmers or ranchers, and producers who use the loans to build conservation structures or
establish conservation practices.
d. Term limits
Term limits require farmers to graduate from FSA credit to
Extends, but only until Jan. 1, 2008, the suspension of the enforcement of term limits.
commercial lenders. Farmers are eligible for direct operating
loans for seven years, and guaranteed operating loans for 15
years. Current law suspends enforcement of term limits on

CRS-11
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
guaranteed loans through Sept. 30, 2007.
e. Other provisions
1.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Down Payment Loan
1.
Modifies the Down Payment Loan Program to make adjustments to the interest rate,
program.
increases the maximum allowable sales price, reduces the borrower down payment
requirement, increases the FSA portion, and changes the loan terms.
2.
Pilot program to guarantee seller-financed land loans.
2.
Extends and expands the guarantee program for seller-financed loans.
2. Farm Credit System (FCS)
a. Scope of lending authority
FCS is a non-governmental cooperatively-owned
Does not create a new category for general “agribusiness” loans limited renewable energy
confederation of institutions that lend permanently to:
projects, nor increase the population cutoff for rural housing loans to 6,000 population, as in
1.
farmers, ranchers, producers of aquatic products,
the House-reported bill. This provision was removed through floor amendment.
2.
businesses providing services to farmers/ranchers,
3.
farming-related businesses that process or market farm
products, if more than 50% of the business is owned by
farmers who provide some of the “throughput.”
4.
Rural homeowners of moderately-priced, single-family
houses in towns with less than 2,500 population.
b. Insurance corporation premiums
FCS banks and associations pay premiums to the Farm Credit
Changes the basis on which the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation collects premiums
System Insurance Corporation (FCSIC) to ensure the
by authorizing higher levels of premiums and shifting the base for premiums from outstanding
System’s capacity to make timely payment of principal and
loans to insured debt.
interest to FCS bondholders.
TITLE VI: Rural Development
Rural Infrastructure and Investment Programs
Provides loan and grant programs and funding for investment
—
Reauthorizes most existing rural infrastructure and economic development programs,
and economic development in rural areas, training for rural
and programs for health care, emergency, and first responder needs in rural areas.
emergency personnel, rural utilities infrastructure, water and
—
Creates a new grant program to improve the technical infrastructure of rural health
wastewater programs, and coordination activities with other
care facilities. Also authorizes the Rural Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service
local, state, and federal officials.
Assistance Program to provide improved emergency medical services in rural areas
—
Creates new Rural Entrepreneur and Microenterprise Assistance Program to provide

CRS-12
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
technical and financial assistance to small businesses.
—
Directs the Secretary to assess the varying definitions of “rural” used by USDA Rural
Development and to review income, population density, and seasonal population of
eligible rural areas for purposes of targeting/prioritizing loan and grant applications.
—
Authorizes a technology transfer program to provide technical information and
resources for farmers practicing or transitioning to sustainable/organic farming.
—
Requires a GAO study of rural communities along U.S.-Mexico border (colonias).
Broadband and Telecommunications Development
—
Broadband Access Loan program provides loans to
—
Amends the existing broadband program to redefine eligibility and prioritize
fund construction, improvement, and acquisition of
applications. Authorizes USDA’s Community Connect Program to provide grants and
facilities to provide broadband service in rural areas.
financial assistance to eligible applicants to provide broadband service to currently
—
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program
unserved areas.
provides electronic educational resources to schools
—
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a national rural broadband strategy.
and for improved health care delivery in rural areas.

Authorizes a National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment.
Regional Development Programs
Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development
Extends/expands the program by creating (1) a 10% set-aside for beginning and socially
Grants.
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and (2) a 10% set-aside for mid-tier value chains, which
are strategic alliances between small to mid-sized farms and ranches and other supply chain
partners that distribute the benefits of these partnerships across the supply chain. Authorizes
$30 million in mandatory spending for planning and working capital grants to support
marketing value-added products.
Regional Development Programs
—
Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funds 334 projects
—
Extends DRA.
($750 million investment in five years).
—
Extends/amends NGPRA to target renewable energy projects, among other changes.
—
Northern Great Plains Regional Authority (NGPRA)
—
Establishes a National Board on Rural America providing planning and innovation
is a federal-state partnership serving IA, MN, NE,
grants to certified Regional Investment Boards.
ND, and SD focused on business, jobs, and
infrastructure development and transportation.

CRS-13
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
TITLE VII: Research
Budget and Planning
The four agencies within the Research, Extension, and
Requires the President’s annual budget submission to present a unified request for all REE
Economics (REE) mission area of USDA (organized in 1994
mission area agencies and programs, divided into two categories: capacity programs (funds to
by P.L. 103-354) have separate entries in the President’s
be distributed through noncompetitive processes) and competitive programs (funds distributed
annual budget request.
through a peer-reviewed, competitive process).
Each REE agency’s budget is administered by its respective
Establishes a National Agricultural Research Program Office to administer the unified REE
officers. ARS and CSREES intramural and extramural
budget. A 6-member Board of Directors coordinates all intramural and extramural programs
programs are coordinated by their respective National
of the REE agencies.
Program Leaders, with stakeholder input as required by the
1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127).
Competitive Grants
The National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Research
Establishes a National Institute for Food and Agriculture that consolidates all competitive
Grants program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 450i; the
research, education, and extension programs, including the NRI and IFAFS, which are
Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS)
reauthorized and merged.
was established in 1998 by P.L. 105-185 and currently is
administered as part of NRI as authorized in annual USDA
appropriations acts.
Animal Disease Research
Authority for USDA to conduct research on live animal
Gives the Secretary lead authority to establish animal disease research laboratories and control
viruses that could become bioterrorism agents became less
the importation and movement of live animal viruses within the United States.
clear when the law creating the Department of Homeland
Security transferred USDA’s offshore animal disease
laboratory to DHS in 2003.
Hispanic-serving Colleges and Universities
The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) established a program of
Establishes an endowment fund, the annual interest from which will be used to strengthen the
education grants to Hispanic-serving institutions that teach
academic programs in agriculture at Hispanic-serving institution. Also creates a capacity-
agriculture; currently reauthorized through FY2007 by P.L.
building program and a competitive research program the these colleges and universities.
107-171.

CRS-14
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
High-priority Research Areas
The Organic Agricultural Research and Extension Initiative
Reauthorizes and provides authority for annual appropriations of $25 million annually through
was established by the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624); it was
FY2012.
reauthorized through FY2007 in the 2002 farm (P.L. 107-171)
bill and provided $3 million annually in mandatory funds.
No Provision
Authorizes $100 million in annual appropriations through FY2012 to support a Specialty
Crops Research Initiative.
Biobased Products Research Program established originally
Authorizes $50 million in annual appropriations through FY2012 to support an Agricultural
in 1998 by P.L. 105-185 was extended through FY2007 by
Bioenergy and Biobased Products Research Initiative.
the 2002 farm bill, with authorization for annual
appropriations of such funds as necessary.
TITLE VIII: Forestry
Forest Landowner Assistance
Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) provides financial
No provision.
assistance to private landowners for forestry activities ($100
million mandatory spending). Some funds were borrowed for
fire-fighting; others were cancelled. Less than half were
actually spent on FLEP activities.
Cooperative Forestry Assistance
No provision.
Includes several provisions providing national priorities and competitive grants, requiring
statewide assessments, and establishing a new advisory committee.
Wildfire Emergencies
Established the Community and Private Land Fire Assistance
Establishes an Emergency Forest Restoration Program to help private landowners restore
Program, to aid in preparing and protecting communities and
forests damaged by natural factors, such as wildfires.
private lands from wildfires.

CRS-15
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
TITLE IX: Energy
Federal Procurement of Biobased Products
Requires federal agencies to purchase biobased products
Reauthorizes. Adds new reporting requirements and clarifies that products with at least 5% of
under certain conditions and authorizes a voluntary biobased
intermediate ingredients and feedstocks that are biobased should be considered. Requires
labeling program. Mandatory funding of $1 million is
USDA to complete rulemaking on labeling regulation. Increases funding to $2 million/year
authorized annually (FY2002-07) for testing.
(FY2008-12) for bio-product testing, labeling, and procurement research, promotion, etc.
Biorefinery Development Program
Creates grant program to finance the cost of developing and
Extends through FY2012 and provides new loan guarantee authority for biorefineries, with
constructing biorefineries and biofuel production plants. No
one-half for loans less than $100 million, and the other half for loans up to $250 million.
mandatory funding was authorized.
Specifies mandatory funding levels that total $800 million over FY2008-12.
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
Competitive grants to nonprofits to educate governmental and
Extends through FY2012 with mandatory funding of $2 million/year (FY2008-12).
private entities operating vehicle fleets, and educate public
about the benefits of biodiesel fuel use.
Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Program
Competitive grants to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small
Extends through 2012.
businesses in becoming more energy efficient and in using
renewable energy technology and resources.
Renewable Energy Systems
Authorizes loans, loan guarantees, and grants to farmers,
Renamed as the “Rural Energy for America Program.” Raises the loan guarantee level from
ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase and install
$10 million to $25 million and caps federal cost-share at 75%. Increases mandatory funding
renewable energy systems and improve energy efficiency.
levels to total $500 million over FY2008-12.
Biomass Research and Development Act
Competitive funding for research, development, and
Extends through FY2012 with increased mandatory funding that totals $420 million over
demonstration projects on biofuels and bio-based chemicals
FY2008-12.
and products. Mandatory funding totaling $75 million
(available until expended) for FY2002 07.

CRS-16
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
Bioenergy Program
Provides incentive payments to biofuels producers based on
Extends through FY2012 with increased mandatory funding of $1.4 billion for FY2008-2012.
year-to-year increases in quantity of biofuel produced.
Excludes ethanol produced from corn starch. Expands eligibility for combined heat and
Mandatory funding through FY2006. No funding available
power production using biomass at biofuels plants and biomass gasification as types of
for FY2007.
bioenergy eligible for the production incentive.
Research, Extension, and Educational Programs on Biobased Energy Technologies and Products
Added under the “Sun Grant Research Initiative Act of 2003.” Extends through 2012. No mandatory funding, but authorized appropriations of $15 million
Establishes 5 national sun grant research centers to enhance
for each of FY2008 through FY12.
coordination/collaboration between USDA, DOE, and land-
grant universities to develop, distribute, and implement
biobased energy technologies.
New Programs/Initiatives
No provision(s).
1.
Energy Council of USDA to establish an Energy Council to coordinate the energy
policy of USDA and consult with other federal departments and agencies.
2.
Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative to provide cost-share grants to enable eligible
rural communities (of less than 25,000) to increase energy self-sufficiency.
3.
Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy Producers to administer a
sugar-for-ethanol program using sugar intended for food use but deemed to be in
surplus.
4.
Farm Energy Production Pilot Program to provide grants to farmers to demonstrate the
feasibility of making a farm become energy neutral using existing technologies.
5.
Biomass Inventory Report of all county-level national inventory of biomass resources.
6.
Future Farmsteads Program to demonstrate technologies to improve farm energy
production and use efficiencies while serving as a working example to farmers.
7.
Biomass Energy Reserve (BER) to provide financial and technical assistance (including
five year contracts) to landowners and operators to grow dedicated energy crops as
feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol and other energy production.
8.
Forest Biomass for Energy to address the specific issues facing the use of woody
biomass for bioenergy production, including feedstock issues such as yield and new
varieties.
9.
Community Wood Energy Program to encourage State and local governments to acquire
community wood energy systems for public buildings and to implement a community
wood energy plan.

CRS-17
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
10.
Intern pilot program for issues related to producing agricultural biofuels from biomass.
11.
New university grant program for demonstration of supplementing corn as an ethanol
feedstock with sweet sorghum and switchgrass.
TITLE X: Horticulture and Organic Agriculture
Block Grants
A program of block grants to states to support projects in
Provides $365 million in mandatory funding over five years to expand the program of block
marketing, research, education, pest and disease management,
grants to states for specialty crop projects.
production, and food safety related to specialty crops was
created by the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004
(P.L. 108-465). It was authorized to receive annual
appropriations of $44.5 million through FY2009. It received
$7 million in FY2006 and again in FY2007.
Nutrition Programs
Requires the Secretary to use not less than $200 million
Specifies that in addition to specialty crop purchases required in the 2002 farm bill, the
annually in additional Section 32 funds to purchase specialty
Secretary shall purchase fruits, vegetables, and nuts using Section 32 funds in the amount of
crops for nutrition programs.
$190 million in FY2008; $193 million in FY2009; $199 million in FY2010; $203 million in
FY2011; and $206 million in FY2012 an annually thereafter.
Pest and Disease Management
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Establishes a cooperative program with the states providing cost-share assistance for early
conducts a number of pest and disease detection and
pest detection and surveillance activities, to include development of a list of potential threats
management programs under the authority of the Plant
and mitigation programs to address them. Provides $200 million in mandatory funds over a 5-
Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-224).
year period to support the program.
Organic Agriculture
The 2002 farm bill established the National Organic
Reauthorizes the National Organic Certification Cost-share Program, providing $22 million in
Certification Cost-share Program with a one-time transfer of
mandatory funds in FY2008 to be available until expended. Raises benefit limit to $750 per
$5 million in mandatory funds. Individual benefit capped at
farm.
$500 per farm.

CRS-18
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
Farmer Marketing Assistance
Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as necessary to
Provides $35 million in mandatory funds to support the program, renamed the Farmer
establish a farmer marketing assistance program to improve
Marketing Assistance Program. Also creates a new grant program to study ways to improve
and expand direct producer-to-consumer marketing
farmer access to competitive processing and distribution systems, called the Healthy Food
opportunities.
Urban Development Program.
TITLE XI: Miscellaneous
Federal Crop Insurance — Selected Cost-Saving Measures
The federal government provides three levels of subsidies to
Three provisions would change the timing of crop insurance receipts (premium collections)
the crop insurance program: 1) subsidizing a portion of the
and the timing of payments to the private companies. These changes are timed so that in the
premium paid by farmers, 2) reimbursing the private crop
final year of the five-year farm bill (FY2012) revenues will be received twice in the year and
insurance companies for most of their administrative and
reimbursements will be delayed until the next fiscal year. Total budget authority will not be
operating expenses, and 3) absorbing most of the program
affected, but because of the one-year adjustment in FY2012, CBO scores outlay savings of
losses.
$2.7 billion in FY2012.
Participating private crop insurance companies are
Beginning in the 2009 reinsurance year (July 1, 2008), the reimbursement rate to the private
reimbursed by the federal government for their administrative
crop insurance companies for their administrative and operating expenses would decline by
and operating expenses at rates determined in a Standard
2.9 percentage points from the rate in effect at the time of enactment of the 2007 farm bill.
Reinsurance Agreement (SRA). Current law prohibits
hence, the range of reimbursement rates would decline to between 15.2% to a maximum of
companies from receiving a reimbursement greater than
21.3%. CBO estimates this provision will reduce outlays by $612 million over five years.
24.5% of total premiums. The current SRA establishes the
(Separately, a provision in Title XII (Additional Offsets) would require the maximum
reimbursement rate below the statutory maximum for all
statutory reimbursement rate to be adjusted downward in 2012 through 2017, if offsetting oil
insurance plans, ranging from 18.1% to 24.2 % (maximum).
and gas receipts collected by the Secretary of Interior fall short of estimates.)
Producers opting for the most basic level of crop insurance
Increases the producer-paid fee for catastrophic coverage under the crop insurance program
(catastrophic (CAT) coverage) pay no premium for the
and the Noninsured Assistance Program to $200 per crop per county, saving a combined
coverage, but are required to pay an administrative fee of
CBO-estimated $228 million over five years.
$100 per crop per county. Producers who grow an
uninsurable crop can also receive the equivalent of CAT
coverage under a separate Noninsured Assistance Program
(NAP) and must also pay a $100 administrative fee.

CRS-19
Current Law/Policy
House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
The current Standard Reinsurance Agreement between the
Requires the private insurance companies to reinsure at least 22% of their retained premiums
federal government and the private crop insurance companies
with the government, and in return the government will provide a ceding commission of 2% to
determines levels of risk sharing between the government and
the companies. (The net effect is to raise the requirement to 20%.) This will allow the
the companies. The current agreement requires companies to
government to receive some underwriting gains or losses that would otherwise accrue to the
reinsure 5% of their retained premium with the government.
companies, which CBO estimates would save $121 million over five years.
Livestock and Poultry Contracts
Gives producers the right to discuss their contracts with
Amends the PSA to require USDA to establish regulatory standards for arbitration provisions
family members and advisors; extends some Packers and
in livestock and poultry contracts; permits a producer to seek relief in a small claims court, if
Stockyards Act (PSA) protections to swine producers with
within the court’s jurisdiction, regardless of a contract’s arbitration clause.
production contracts.
State-Inspected Meat and Poultry
No comparable provision. Currently, state-inspected meat
Permits USDA to approve the shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry from a State
and poultry products cannot be shipped interstate.
where the program requirements are identical to federal requirements, among other things.
Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL)
Retailers (not restaurants) must provide COOL for fresh
Continues to require implementation by 2008 but, for red meats only, creates new label
meats, produce, peanuts and seafood by September 30, 2004
categories intended to make it easier to cite country of origin. For all covered commodities,
(later changed to 2008 except for seafood). Contains
eases some recordkeeping, certification requirements, and reduces fines for noncompliance.
numerous requirements on labeling exclusively USA
products, on recordkeeping and certification, and on
enforcement/fines for noncompliance.
Discrimination Suit Against USDA (Pigford Decision)
Pigford v. Glickman, No. 97-1978 and No. 98-1693 (D.D.C.
Permits any Pigford claimants who met the criteria of a civil action relating to racial
July 14, 2000).
discrimination by the USDA but were denied a mechanism for redetermination based on the
merits of their claims. Provides funding for claims.