Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the House Agriculture committee in preparation for the 2012 reauthorization of the Farm bill. Secretary Vilsack outlined some of the key issues the Administration would address in the next farm bill, including broadband access in rural areas, renewable energy and biofuels, regional food systems and supply chains, ecosystem market incentives and conservation and forest restoration. He indicated that the Administration was in the process of working on a formal farm bill proposal.
Many members expressed concerns about beginning the reauthorization process before final rules have been set from the last bill that was completed just two years ago. Members also shared a growing concern about financing the next bill in the current economy. The committee plans to hold a series of hearings both in Washington and throughout the country over the next two weeks to gather ideas for the farm bill.
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