The 2012 … opps, I mean 1949 Farm Bill
Leave a commentOctober 1, 2012 by nutritionpolicy2012
The 2012 1949 Farm Bill
At 12am this morning, the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides funding for a variety of nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as payments to farmers and agricultural programs, officially expired.
Ok, so that does this mean?? Well, in the absence of either a new bill or an extension of the 2008 law, federal price supports will revert to their 1949 levels. What?? 1949?!?
Yes. 1949. That was before man landed on the moon, before Hawaii & Alaska joined the union, before Barbie dolls and/or GI Joes were part of every kid’s play pen!
But, we’ve been told not to panic…. in reality, congress, farmers, the USDA will have until the start of the new year before true administrative hell begins. An NPR piece provides some details. The National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition (NSAC) also had a great FAQ site about this.
