Mike Levin: “I support the passage of the 2007 farm bill, which includes many important programs that benefit Michigan and the Nation…”

“I support the passage of the 2007 farm bill, which includes many important programs that benefit Michigan and the Nation as a whole. Agriculture is Michigan's second largest industry, and few States have such a diversity of agricultural crops. As leading producers of traditional crops, such as corn, wheat and soybeans, as well as specialty crops, such as apples, asparagus, beans, blueberries and cherries, Michigan's farmers have a wide variety of needs, and I am pleased that this farm bill contains a range of measures that will benefit farmers throughout the State. For too long, the farm bill has not included proper support for the specialty crops that are such a vital part of Michigan's agricultural economy. I am pleased that this bill will provide significantly more assistance to specialty crop growers than we have seen in the past, while protecting both specialty crop growers and traditional farmers by providing disaster assistance and revenue protections in the event of catastrophic crop losses. With measures such as specialty crop block grants, increased incentives for organic farming, funding for specialty crops research initiatives, and technical assistance programs, the farm bill will provide much needed support for the specialty crop community throughout Michigan.”