Rep. Scott with representatives from the Georgia fruit and vegetable industry including Bill Brim (Left) of Tifton who testified at today’s hearing.
 

Subcommittee Examines Specialty Crop Programs
for the 2013 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Austin Scott, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture, held a public hearing to examine specialty crop priorities for the 2013 Farm Bill. The Subcommittee heard from growers and representatives of the specialty crop community on the effectiveness of the current programs within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction.

Last summer, the Agriculture Committee reported H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture, Reform, and Risk Management Act (FARRM). The FARRM Act achieved $35 billion in savings to reduce the federal deficit, while expanding popular and successful programs that recognize the diversity of U.S. specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops.

“Growth in the specialty crops sector can play an integral role in our economic recovery. As we continue to examine farm policy and prepare to reauthorize the farm bill, it is essential that we expand on our past successes with programs that help grow our nation's economy,” said Chairman Austin Scott (R-GA-8).

Witness List:

Panel I

Ms. Sarah M. Frey-Talley, President and CEO, Frey Farms, Keenes, Illinois

Mr. William L. Brim, President and Owner, Lewis & Taylor Farms, Inc., Tifton, Georgia

Mr. Barry Bushue, Vice President, American Farm Bureau Federation, President, Oregon Farm Bureau Federation, Boring, Oregon

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