[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 20, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3354-S3355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Cardin, and 
Mr. Lautenberg):
  S. 919. A bill to reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation 
and energy programs and certain other programs of the Department, to 
modify the operation and administration of these programs, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise today along with several of my 
colleagues to introduce the Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 
2007. I am also proud to be joined in this effort by my friend and 
former colleague, Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin, who is 
introducing this legislation today in the House of Representatives.
  This legislation is crucial because we have a tremendous opportunity 
this year to set a healthier course for American agriculture. To allow 
our farmers, ranchers, and foresters to thrive while giving them the 
tools they need to meet our environmental and energy challenges; to 
open up new markets and opportunities for our small farmers; and to 
provide consumers and schoolchildren with more fresh fruits and 
vegetables, and make it easier for low-income Americans and the elderly 
to have access to healthier foods.
  Like all legislation, a Farm Bill is a statement of priorities and of 
values. And the Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act embodies many of 
the priorities and values that I believe we as a nation should be 
focused on.
  Although many people are not aware of New Jersey's thriving 
agricultural sector, the fact is that we are the Garden State, and a 
healthy agricultural sector nationwide--one that addresses the needs of 
all of our farmers, whether

[[Page S3355]]

they grow corn in the Midwest or blueberries in the Mid-Atlantic--is 
essential for New Jersey to remain the Garden State.
  However, New Jersey's farmers are under a tremendous amount of 
pressure. They operate in a very high-cost environment and see 
development encroaching on their farms from all sides. Conservation 
programs are crucial to the survival of agriculture in the Garden 
State, as well as for the protection of sensitive wetlands and animal 
habitats, which is why the Healthy Farms bill increases funding and 
expands eligibility for the Environment Quality Incentives Program, 
Conservation Reserve Program, Conservation Security Program, Farmland 
and Ranchland Protection Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and 
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.
  New Jersey's farmers are also among the most prolific in the country 
in growing fruits and vegetables, yet they are often just a few miles 
from distressed communities where children struggle for access to 
nutritious food. That's why the Healthy Farms bill expands the Fresh 
Fruit and Vegetable Program to schools in all states, giving more 
children access to healthy snacks. The bill also expands the Farmers 
Market Promotion Program, and provides additional funding for programs 
that allow seniors and low-income families to obtain food at farmers 
markets. Not only do these programs help people eat healthier, they 
provide an additional market for local farmers.
  This bill is, of course, just the start of this conversation. As we 
move forward this year, we must work together on issues of farm 
profitability, entrepreneurship and innovation, toward a Farm Bill that 
emphasizes flexibility, efficiency and equitable distribution of 
government programs. This will help to ensure success for our farm 
family enterprises and the wider community of Farm Bill beneficiaries, 
both large and small, near urbanized areas and in more rural settings, 
throughout all regions of the country.
  Ideally, an emphasis on the diversity of agricultural and related 
businesses, their interaction with the citizens who are their ultimate 
customers, and the role these enterprises play in addressing issues of 
nutrition, hunger and economic growth throughout our nation will join 
with conservation and environmental issues to form a comprehensive Farm 
Bill that will serve the nation well for the next five years and 
beyond.
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