Pros And Cons Of The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is a piece of legislation that determines what farmers grow, as well as what is available in the United States food supply. In 1996 there was a switch to the more modern commodity payment system, which focused more on food safety, food assistance to the public, and the environment. There were many supporters of this bill, including Michigan Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. Farmers all over the United States will still receive generous subsidies, and it is designed to provide a financial cushion in the face of unpredictable weather and market conditions with crop insurance that can be collected if needed. The bill rid of subsides called ‘direct payments,’ which are payments made to farmers whether they produce a crop or not. Represenative Frank Lucas included a major boost for crop insurance popular in the Midwest, higher subsidies for Southern rice and peanut farmers and land payments for Western states. The bill also includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP-Ed, The Commodity …show more content…
The program was set up to empower participants to make healthy food choices while staying in a budget, and how to incorporate more physical activity for a healthier lifestyle. Online resources are used, and there is an increased focus on promotion of environmental changes to support obesity prevention and lifestyle changes. SNAP-Ed meets people in targeted communities where it is most convenient for them, which can include schools, worksite wellness facilities, and faith based organizations. Evaluations of the program concluded that participants who completed 6 sessions showed improved behaviors in areas such as meal planning with a budget, making and sticking to a grocery list, thinking about healthy food choices, and reading nutrition facts labels to be able to make healthier food