An update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was issued recently on progress implementing programs authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill.
“Thousands of farmers and ranchers have received critical disaster assistance, innovative new conservation programs are up and running, new risk management programs for producers are available with more tools to come, the new Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research has been incorporated, and much more,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The Farm Bill was signed into law six months ago. Progress has been made throughout all 12 titles of the bill. Approximately 165,000 claims have been processed totaling $1.85 billion disbursed through the Livestock Indemnity Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program and Tree Assistance Program. Also, $3 million was awarded to state Cooperative Extension services to provide in-person education to help producers make the most educated decisions regarding new Farm Bill programs. USDA will begin awarding funding for RCPP projects designed by local partners specifically for their region for a total of $2.4 billion for conservation.
For a complete report of USDA’s Farm Bill implementation progress, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.