August 14 , 2006

ISSUE 1128

FOURTH FARM BILL PAPER ADDRESSES RENEWABLE ENERGY

In its fourth farm bill paper released Tuesday (August 8), USDA focused on ways the federal government might encourage the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The paper outlines potential sources of energy, tracks the results of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, and contemplates enhancements and alternatives to those programs. These alternatives do not represent specific farm bill proposals but instead are put forward to further public discussion.

The alternatives USDA presents include expanding federal direct market intervention to support renewable energy, extending renewable energy tax credits, and using more land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for biomass harvesting and wind energy.

The four USDA farm bill papers address comments received during last year's nationwide Farm Bill Forum listening tour. The papers are available at www.usda.gov/farmbill. Transcripts of the Farm Bill Forums and comment summary papers are also posted there.

FOURTH FARM BILL PAPER ADDRESSES RENEWABLE ENERGY

FARM TO FUEL SUMMIT SCHEDULED

MARKETING PROMOTIONS INCREASE SALES OF FLORIDA PRODUCE

AG “IDEARAISERS” TO BE HELD ACROSS STATE

DUDA RETIREE STU LONGWORTH PASSES AWAY

REMINDER - LABOR RELATIONS FORUM APPROACHING

WAL-MART EXECUTIVE FEATURED AT FFVA CONVENTION SESSION

BREAKING AWAY FROM THE COMMODITY CONCEPT