The Farm BillOver the multi-year development of the Farm Bill, Hastings contacted the House Agriculture Committee several times to highlight the unique needs of Central Washington’s specialty crops and make the case for priorities like agriculture research, the Market Access Program (MAP), the Specialty Crop Block Grant program and to provide Asparagus Market Loss assistance.
In 2006, Hastings brought the House Agriculture Committee to Central Washington for a hearing on the Farm Bill so that local farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses could have their voices heard. During the hearing, lawmakers heard from members of the Pacific Northwest agricultural community representing a diverse group of commodities including apples, asparagus, potatoes, beef cattle, wheat, dairy and nursery products.
Provisions in the bill of importance to Central Washington include:
- Funding for agriculture research – including $230 million for the Specialty Crops Research Initiative, $59 million in Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, and $466 million for Specialty Crop Block Grants.
- $200 million annually for the Market Access Program to help American farmers expand access to overseas markets.
- $15 million to assist asparagus producers, who have been hurt by the Andean Trade Preferences Act that favor Peruvian asparagus growers.
- $20 million for the National Clean Plant Network, which provides clean planting stock for fruit and nut trees as well as grapevines – work for the National Clean Plant Network is conducted at the USDA research station in Prosser.
- $1.02 billion to expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program for schoolchildren in all 50 states.
- Provides funding to assist rural communities in maintaining water supply and sanitary sewer systems that comply with federal regulations.