Senate passes farm bill air quality amendment

» June 19, 2012 «

The U.S. Senate passed an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill today that helps farmers implement air quality projects to meet federal, state and local regulatory requirements. A coalition led by the California Farm Bureau Federation and the Nisei Farmers League praised the Senate for ensuring that the Air Quality Initiative remains a vital part of the farm bill.

"Air quality improvement and the stewardship of natural resources are priorities for farmers," California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger said. "We thank Senators Feinstein, Boxer and Kyl, as well as others who helped the amendment pass, for their work to ensure the Air Quality Initiative stays in the Senate farm bill. We hope that the House will recognize the importance of the program and maintain it in the bill."

Farmers and ranchers in California, Arizona, Texas and other states benefit from the program, which first appeared in the 2008 Farm Bill. The Air Quality Initiative provides assistance to farmers and ranchers for conservation practices that preserve or improve air quality. The program prioritizes money for areas of the country with the highest air quality concerns. In California alone, more than 1,100 farmers and ranchers partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service on projects that reduced emissions an estimated five tons per day—equivalent to removing more than 408,000 cars from California roads.

In addition to the California Farm Bureau and the Nisei Farmers League, other members of the coalition include African American Farmers of California, Agricultural Council of California, American Pistachio Growers, Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, Associated California Loggers, Association of California Water Agencies, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, California Blueberry Association, California Cattlemen's Association, California Citrus Mutual, California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations, California Forestry Association, California Grape and Tree Fruit League, California Poultry Association, California Rice Commission, California Strawberry Commission, California Women for Agriculture, Far West Equipment Dealers Association, Fresno County Farm Bureau, Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers, Kings County Farm Bureau, Madera County Farm Bureau, Olive Growers Council of California, Raisin Bargaining Association, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Texas Farm Bureau, Tulare County Farm Bureau, Ventura County Agricultural Association, Western Agricultural Processors Association, Western Plant Health Association, Western Growers and Western United Dairymen.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 74,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

Contact:
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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