THE “SKUNK AT THE TABLE” GAINS RESPECT

For years, many in the specialty crop industry have sought a stronger voice in federal farm policy. Two years ago, growers of crops ranging from apples to wine grapes decided that if they were to effect change in federal agricultural policy, it was time to unite. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance was formed to advocate for farm policies that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers and, in turn, benefit American consumers.

The coalition expanded and gained momentum. Since its inception, the group has grown from 12 members to more than 120 member organizations and has become a major player in policy decisions, especially those related to the 2007 Farm Bill.

As one of three co-chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, FFVA President Mike Stuart has helped champion the interests of specialty crop producers in federal farm policy.

“Although this group represents 50 percent of total crop value, it had never pulled itself together to take political advantage of this fact,” said Jerry Hill, a Capitol Hill attorney and advocate for the industry. “This is my ninth farm bill, and it has finally happened.”

Working as an alliance meant putting aside regional and crop-specific priorities for the good of the industry as a whole. FFVA President Mike Stuart, one of three co-chairs of the SCFBA, says it’s the only way to get anything done. “It’s like herding cats, but if we can stick together throughout this process, the prospects for working together on future issues are very bright.”

One of the alliance’s key messages since its formation is that producers of specialty crops are not looking for direct payments. Nor do they want price or income supports because they would distort the market for their products and have implications on trade. The SCFBA has outlined its priorities for U.S. farm policy:

•     Targeted research programs
•     Federal nutrition programs
•     Block grants to address priorities at the state and local level
•     Pest and disease management programs
•     International market access
•     Investment in infrastructure
•     Conservation and environmental programs

The interests of specialty crop producers -- promoting the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and other crops -- go hand-in-hand with those of all Americans, even if they have never picked fruit or driven a tractor in their lives. That’s one of the reasons the group has gained respect and clout in Washington, D.C.

DEFINING MOMENTS

The House of Representatives version of the 2007 Farm Bill passed in July includes many of the alliance’s priorities. The industry would not have enjoyed that kind of success only a few years ago.

“A defining moment in that process was when we actually developed a comprehensive list of policy priorities,” said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh Produce Association. “Then we had to stand firm with the House Agriculture Committee to support a more comprehensive level of funding for key priorities.”

Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) defended the interests of specialty crops in the House of Representatives.

Stuart added, “Rep. Dennis Cardoza stood up for specialty crops against the status quo. He put up quite a fight with the chairman and other committee members during the critical moments of the House Ag Committee debate over the bill.”

The fight was worth it. “We realized that specialty crops had the votes in the House to demand and get our priorities, including significant funding for block grants, the fruit and vegetable snack program in public schools, research and other priorities,” said Jessica Wasserman, a member of the alliance and head of the Washington D.C.-based Wasserman & Associates. “I will never forget when virtually the entire alliance from all around the country and representing a myriad of products sat in Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s office after the House passed the Farm Bill. She looked around and said, ‘Well, you guys had the votes, and that’s the way things work up here.’”

Stuart said determination was key to success. “As I’ve said in the past, we’re the proverbial ‘skunk at the picnic’ when it comes to farm bills,” said Stuart. “We’ve come a long way over the past year.”

But the effort is far from over. The Senate will take up the bill soon, and that poses a new set of challenges. Then there’s a complicated funding structure and the fundamental challenge of keeping all the players within the coalition on the same track.

CONSTANT CHALLENGES

Original co-sponsors of the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (EAT Healthy America Act), a necessary and proactive step passed in March 2007 to ensure that specialty crop producers remain competitive by including their policy priorities in the 2007 Farm Bill. Those co-sponsors include Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL) and Dennis Cardoza (D-CA).

One of the coalition’s priorities is to have agricultural border inspections returned to the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since 2002, the Department of Homeland Security has been responsible for the inspections. Two senators are urging no changes. However, other lawmakers agree with the coalition and are urging that the program return to USDA, citing a General Accounting Office study that indicated inspections have fallen off since 2002, and morale among inspectors has been dismal.

Another legislative challenge is keeping the restriction on growers of program crops such as corn and soybeans from growing specialty crops on subsidized land. The alliance staunchly opposes lifting the restrictions. A third-party study commissioned by the group showed that full-time specialty crop growers would suffer as much as $3 billion in economic damages if the restrictions were lifted.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Even though Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said he would issue his “chairman’s mark” on the new Farm Bill during the second week of September, observers predict it most likely will be October before the Senate agriculture panel marks up the draft proposal. That means the Senate as a whole would consider the bill in late October or early November. Much talk has been circulating about whether the 2002 Farm Bill will end up being extended.

It’s still not clear whether the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance’s priorities will survive the Farm Bill negotiations. And the possibility of a presidential veto remains.

As it stands, however, the alliance has made enormous strides in raising awareness of an industry responsible for half if the nation’s agricultural income. The skunk has the attention – and respect – of those at the picnic.