House Ag Committee reauthorizes agricultural mediation grant program

The House Agriculture Committee was relatively busy last week. The committee passed two bills and approved its budget recommendation letter for federal agencies and programs under its jurisdiction.

The piece of legislation that was passed that has national implications is H.R. 3509, which reauthorizes funding for the State agricultural mediation grant program, which was authorized under title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. According to the news release from the committee, the program provides grants to state programs that "help agricultural producers, their creditors and various agencies address disputes, including loan problems and USDA adverse decisions."

As Jerry Hagstrom writes for Agweek online, the vote on H.R. 3509 was unanimous. Hagstrom reports that the program was first created during the "farm crisis of the 1980s." Though the bill allows for $7.5 million to be appropriated to the program each year, last year the program was funded at $4.369 million.

The USDA Farm Service Agency reports that 32 states participate in the program, "which provides matching grants to the states." Since it was created, the mediation program has dealt with disputes involving loans, federal support program payments, conservation programs, and rural issues.

To read the House Agriculture Committee news release, click here.
To read the Hagstrom article in Agweek click here.

Posted: 03/08/10