Rick Allen: “I want to congratulate him in the passage of this farm bill. I want to commend him for significant funding increases, in…”

“I want to congratulate him in the passage of this farm bill. I want to commend him for significant funding increases, in particular for the Senior Farmers' Market and Nutrition program, a program that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income seniors through farmers markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture. When it is working properly, this program provides health benefits to seniors and new business opportunities to farmers. I had submitted an amendment that was not made in order. My amendment would have made it easier for States to incorporate community-supported agricultural distribution programs into their Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition programs. In particular, my amendment would have given States the flexibility to set the maximum benefit level per senior in a way best suited to the needs of farmers and seniors in each State. Our experience in Maine has been that community-supported agriculture works extremely well for farmers and is an excellent way to reach seniors who do not live close enough to a farmers market or who are not mobile enough to get up and go shopping. Indeed, Maine's community-supported agriculture program has drawn national acclaim since it was instituted. Mr. Chairman, I would simply ask Chairman Peterson if he is willing to work with me to incorporate these beneficial reforms into the 2007 farm bill.”