President Obama Signs Farm Bill Into Law
February 7, 2014 President Obama signed the Farm Bill this Friday during a ceremony at Michigan State University. According to the Associated Press, Obama was on a trip to Michigan as a reward for Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee who helped broker the Farm Bill, and who is an alma mater of Michigan State University. Also present at the signing was Robert Guenther, United Fresh’s senior vice president of public policy.
Photo by Bob Nichols
United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel shared his opinion on the signing: “The 2014 Farm Bill is nothing less than a solid win for fresh produce on several fronts, including research, market promotion, pest and disease programs and nutrition initiatives,” he said. “United appreciates the steady leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Agriculture Committee in getting the Farm Bill passed. And our thanks also go to United Fresh members and other industry leaders who’ve walked the halls of Congress, made phone calls, supported candidates, and otherwise made their voices heard to their lawmakers.”
Western Growers’ President and CEO, Tom Nassif, also offered his comments on the signing in a press release, and thanked the president along with Senator Stabenow.
“On behalf of all the growers and members of Western Growers, I thank the President of the United States for signing into law the new five-year Farm Bill. On this occasion, I also want to express my deep thanks to Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Lucas, and Ranking Members Cochran and Peterson for the tremendous work they have done to complete this bill. Their hard work and the countless hours of work done by our industry champions in Congress — especially our friends on the two Agriculture Committees — has resulted in a good piece of legislation that will serve our industry well.
Are you satisfied with the provisions for specialty growers in the 2014 Farm Bill?
- No (58%, 23 Votes)
- Yes (43%, 17 Votes)
Total Voters: 40
Loading ...No bill of course is perfect. But the hard work, fortitude and spirit of cooperation exhibited by all involved is a great example of what bipartisanship can accomplish. President Reagan used to talk about a shining city upon a hill and in a small way the Farm Bill serves as an important example of how legislation should and must be done in order to benefit us all. This farm bill is a product of tough negotiation, but it is also an example of what needs to be done more often in Congress — all parties must work together and compromise for the greater good. I hope members of Congress point to the example of the Farm Bill as our nation grapples with other critical issues facing our industry, like immigration and the devastating drought we now face in California; all members of Congress need to focus on the greater good as they work cooperatively through problems.”
For more information on the 2014 Farm Bill, you can visit www.unitedfresh.org/newsviews/farm_bill, and stay tuned to www.growingproduce.com for more updates.
Sources: United Fresh news release; Western Growers news release
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