"Proposal Linking Conservation, Crop Insurance Panned by Farm Groups"

The release Friday of the Senate Agriculture Committee chairman's draft of a 2012 Farm Bill shifted the political fight over this major legislation into high gear. Finishing the bill by September, when the current law expires, will be a challenge, especially in an election year. The Farm Bill has many provisions that affect the environment, public health, and environmental health. Amanda Peterka reported in the subscription-only Greenwire April 23, 2012, on a letter from farm lobby groups spearheaded by the American Farm Bureau Federation opposing a proposal from environmental groups that would require farmers to meet conservation requirements in order to qualify for crop insurance.

SEE ALSO:

"Delay Sought on  Farm Bill" (Politico)

"Senate Panel Unveils 2012 Farm Bill Overhaul" (Gannett/Des Moines Register)

"Farmers Face Direct Payments Cut in Farm Bill" (Evansville Courier & Press)

"Farm Bill Sows Discontent" (AP)

"Senate Ag Leaders Release Chairman’s Mark of the 2012 Farm Bill" (Feedstuffs)

"Conservation Programs an Important Piece of Farm Bill Debate" (WJBC Radio Central Illinois)

"Bill Would Expand Insurance for Crops" (The Caucus/NYT)

"Senate Action Kicks Off Uphill Battle To Pass Farm And Food Bill This Year" (AP)

Press release of 4/20/12: "2012 Senate Farm Bill Does More Harm Than Good" (Environmental Working Group)

Press release of 4/23/12: "AFBF Reacts to Senate Farm Bill Proposal" (American Farm Bureau Federation)

"Senate Plan Seeks $23 Billion Cut in Farm Aid, First Since 1996" (KCRG TV9 Iowa)

"Congress Begins Uphill Battle To Pass Farm Bill" (Bloomberg)

"Troy Schroeder: New Farm Bill Should Protect Sensitive Lands" (Wichita Eagle)

Opinion: "Conserving Lands, Creating Jobs in Farm Bill" (John Crabtreee, Center for Rural Affairs/ via Syracuse Journal-Democrat)

"More Farm Bill Hearings Slated" (National Hog Farmer)