AGree, an initiative designed to transform long-term agricultural, food and rural policy issues, has released a new report, “Review of U.S. Farm Programs,” that provides a comprehensive overview of federal farm programs (farm support, disaster assistance, insurance, specialty crop and conservation programs), including historical background and information about the distribution of benefits. It is the first in a series of backgrounders the initiative is publishing to lay the groundwork for common understanding in discussions across diverse stakeholders on the future of food and agriculture policy. The report was authored by Stephanie Mercier, former chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee, and does not necessarily represent the views of AGree, the initiative said. AGree commissioned the report in an effort to provide context for discussions on the complex issue of U.S. farm support policy, a hot topic of the current debate on the federal agriculture budget and the Farm Bill. Beginning at the onset of farm support in America, the report covers how the U.S. arrived at its current policy nearly 80 years later, noting, “Policy makers have not moved very far from their original rationale, even though the structure and composition of U.S. agriculture has changed considerably.” AGree has also posted webcasts of Mercier presenting a PowerPoint slide summary of the report and a PowerPoint slide overview of federal agriculture spending. The report and webcasts can be found on AGree’s website at: http://www.foodandagpolicy.org/policy/introduction.
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