Saturday, February 7 marks one year anniversary of 2014 Farm Bill

Feb 05, 2015

Farm Bill brought more funding to a variety of agriculture initiatives

There’s a very special anniversary taking place on Saturday, February 7.

It was on February 7, 2014 that US President Barack Obama signed the 2014 Farm Bill into law.

At the time, the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry called it “the most significant reform of American agriculture policy in decades.” The bill reduces the country’s deficit by $23 billion.

On the eve of the anniversary, Secretary Tom Vilsack said the legislation affects more than just farmers and food producers.

"Thanks to the Farm Bill, farmers have a common-sense risk management system in place to protect their families and livelihoods from future disasters,” he said in a release. “It's helped families become first time home buyers. It's supported rural businesses as they grow and create jobs. Communities have clean drinking water, some for the first time. Farm Bill disaster assistance programs have helped to rebuild lives.”

Almost every aspect of agriculture in the United States is set to benefit from the 2014 Farm Bill including providing $100 million in funding for the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program, $200 million for an agricultural research foundation, $150 million for water and wastewater support and restored disaster assistance back to 2011 and is going to establish a permanent program for livestock disaster.

Video: Syngenta Ag Stories - Reanna Hagel, Channel Marketing Manager

Growing up on a cow-calf operation and small feedlot near Lumby, BC, Reanna learned agriculture the hands-on way with her sister on the family farm. Today, as Channel Marketing Manager for Syngenta Canada, what Reanna loves most about her work is simple: the customer is always at the centre. Whether that's a grower or a channel partner, she understands them on a personal level - because she's the daughter of one. But for Reanna, supporting ag doesn't stop at her job. She volunteers with local 4-H clubs, lends a hand to her farming neighbours, and is raising her own kids to understand and respect the land. Her advice to the next generation? "It's an amazing time to be in the industry - it's going to look completely different in 20 years. To be part of the evolution is very exciting."