U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack assured state agriculture department leaders that the agriculture agency is prepared to implement the farm bill once President Barack Obama signs the legislation.
Vilsack said the USDA is split into working groups with each assigned a title of the farm bill to identify program and policy changes, according to Agri-Pulse. To deliver the new dairy program, which is more of an insurance-based product than the previous program, the Risk Management Agency will work with the Farm Service Agency.
He praised the farm bill for its reformed safety net, but pushed for Congress to reach a compromise on immigration reform that addresses the needs of farms employing immigrant labor.