[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 458 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 458

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal 
  Government should encourage organic farming, gardening, local food 
                   production, and farmers' markets.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 19, 2009

  Mr. Fortenberry (for himself and Mr. Kagen) submitted the following 
     resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal 
  Government should encourage organic farming, gardening, local food 
                   production, and farmers' markets.

Whereas, according to a recent National Gardening Association survey, 43,000,000 
        Americans plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, or berries 
        in 2009, a 19-percent increase from 2008;
Whereas $2,500,000,000 was spent by Americans on food gardening in 2008;
Whereas backyard and community gardens provide millions of Americans of all ages 
        with exercise and cost-effective, healthy food options;
Whereas the United States has a rich history of promoting homegrown food;
Whereas it is estimated that by the end of World War II, more than 20,000,000 
        gardens were providing 40 percent of the produce consumed in the United 
        States;
Whereas the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service reported 
        that there were 4,685 farmers' markets in August 2008, a 6.8-percent 
        increase since 2006;
Whereas farmers' markets create an interconnectedness between farmers and 
        families, urban and rural communities, and people and agriculture;
Whereas local foods systems, which are strengthened by farmers' markets, provide 
        nutritional benefits for consumers, income opportunities for small- and 
        medium-size farmers, and support for local economies;
Whereas local and organic food production often encourage sustainable farming 
        practices that help protect and conserve our natural resources;
Whereas sales of organic food and beverages in the United States have grown from 
        $1,000,000,000 in 1990 to an estimated $22,900,000,000 in 2008; and
Whereas organic products now account for about 3.5 percent of all food sales in 
        the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the House of Representatives recognizes the many 
        contributions that organic farming, gardening, local food 
        production, and farmers' markets make to the Nation's safe and 
        abundant food supply; and
            (2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
        the Federal Government should encourage organic farming, 
        gardening, local food production, and farmers' markets.
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