WASHINGTON DC.—After months of negotiations with the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives passed the conference report from the Food, Conservation and Energy Act, also known as the Farm Bill.   Two local congressmen, Democrats Christopher Carney and Paul Kanjorski voted for the measure.

“Standing up for Pennsylvania farmers has been a critical priority in my work in Congress,” said Carney. “This Farm Bill looks to the future--by doubling funds for farm land preservation. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that farming goes on for generations. Conservation programs help preserve farmland, they improve our water and air quality and enhance our soil.” The final version of the Farm Bill includes a $7.9 billion increase in conservation funding, which is a one-third increase over the 2002 Farm Bill.

 “With the rising costs of food and gas, the Farm Bill will help Americans afford to pay these inflated costs and reduce energy prices,” said Congressman Kanjorski.  “Through many of these actions we can help Americans afford the healthy food they need while also reducing our exorbitant energy costs.  This bill also provides technical assistance to fruit and vegetable farmers, such as those in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” 

The Farm Bill includes a feed cost adjuster to allow the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) target price to fluctuate based on feed prices.  “We need to protect our local dairy farmers,” said Carney. “The costs of production incurred by our dairy producers are drastically rising because of the high costs of feed and fuel, and I fought to include this provision as the bill went to conference with the House and Senate.” Carney took an active role, reaching out to both Republican and Democrats to relay the need for a feed cost adjuster to protect local dairy farmers.