Good investment
Farm bill is a winner for rural Oklahoma
Good investment: Farm bill is a winner for rural Oklahoma

By Steve Kouplen

Published: August 4, 2007

In "Seeds of discontent; House farm bill lacks needed reforms” (Opinion, July 31), The Oklahoman implied the House version lacks needed reforms. I suggest the term "reform” depends on your definition.

There is a huge difference between reform and elimination. Elimination of the commodity title is the intent of the Heritage Foundation and Environmental Working Group. Reforms were made where necessary. However, it is also important to remember that reforms that are made simply for "reformers' sake” ultimately sacrifice support for farmers with no resulting benefit. Please consider the following key components of the House-passed version of the 2007 farm bill.

•This legislation slashes $20 billion from the 2002 farm bill, making it fiscally responsible.

•This farm bill proposal expands benefits to all sectors of agriculture. It includes reforms that better meet the needs of more farmers by providing $1.6 billion in funding to speciality crop producers for research, conservation, pest and disease programs and nutrition.

•This bill includes reforms that eliminate the three-entity rule, meaning one farmer, one farm, requiring direct attribution of government support payments.

•The House version provides reforms that give farmers the opportunity to use a counter-cyclical revenue program, allowing them the economic opportunity to derive income from the marketplace, not the U.S. Treasury.

•There is more emphasis on renewable energy, making it economically feasible for farmers to grow their own energy and provide energy security for our country.

•Farmers and ranchers take care of their land using expensive conservation practices. This farm bill proposal provides additional funding to help our industry continue to protect our natural resources.

As the average age of our farmers nears 60 years, we are concerned with who will be producing food for our next generation. This bill includes reforms addressing the needs of young and beginning farmers, providing favorable loan rates and other programs to help them get started and expand their farms.

We believe a closer look at this farm bill reveals it is a good, solid program that is an investment in rural Oklahoma.

Kouplen, of Beggs, is president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

This bill includes reforms addressing the needs of young and beginning farmers, providing favorable loan rates and other programs to help them get started and expand their farms.

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