The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said the new state budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 continues a troubling trend of funding cuts to essential programs for farmers that also benefit all Pennsylvanians.

The state budget cuts include a 37 percent reduction in agricultural research conducted through the Department of Agriculture that provides farmers with new technology while benefiting consumers though advanced food safety. Other budget shortfalls for agriculture include technical assistance to help farmers comply with stringent and costly environmental regulations.

During discussions in Harrisburg since last November, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau explained the need for about $11 million of additional funding in eight program areas, much of which was to merely restore dollars cut from programs last year. Farm Bureau said the funding requests were rejected and another $1 million was cut from important priorities for agriculture.

“It’s an understatement that Pennsylvania’s farm families will be disappointed when they learn the details,” said PA Farm Bureau President Carl T. Shaffer. “It will be hard for them to understand how a $28 billion state budget can’t include $11 million for programs that will help secure the future of agriculture, grow our food supply and preserve the rural character of Pennsylvania.” He noted that the $11 million amounts to approximately one-hundredth of one percent (.001) of the state budget’s increase.

Farm Bureau noted that the budget for the Department of Agriculture was increased by 5.4 percent, but believes that most of the funds are for personnel cost increases, not new or expanded assistance to farms.

PFB said one bright spot in the state budget is the continuation of funding for a program called REAP that offers limited tax credits for qualifying farmers who implement certain water quality environmental measures. Last year’s budget allocation enabled approximately 325 of Pennsylvania’s 58,000 farms to use the program. Other important legislation enacted before the General Assembly’s recess will provide incentives for the state’s biodiesel industry, eventually providing farmers new crop production and income opportunities.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said there was strong advocacy for reasonable funding for agriculture by Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster County) and Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Centre County), respective chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committees.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization with a volunteer membership of more than 44,000 farm and rural families, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau or PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan websites.

7/11/2008