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Agriculture's Take from the Stimulus Package
By Jeff Emslie Ever wonder where the stimulus money agriculture receives from the Economic Stimulus Package, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) goes? Although the Agriculture Department received approximately the same share of the Stimulus Package in 2009 as USDA's share of the U.S. budget, there is very little direct aid to agriculture. Roughly three quarters of a total $27 billion agricultural stimulus goes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the food stamp program.) The next largest chunk, $5.125 billion, will be used for infrastructure improvements and rural development. Loans and grants to expand broadband internet service to rural areas is the single largest piece of the infrastructure allocation at $2.8 billion. Other rural development programs include upgrading rural library, public safety, education, day care and medical clinics. Rural water and wastewater projects will receive $1.5 billion, while $500 million will be spent to guarantee loans for rural housing. Conservation and flood protection activities get $400 million. More modest amounts are allocated for upgrading agricultural research stations and rural enterprise grants. It should be noted that no stimulus money was included for Value Added Producer Grants. As very little of the Stimulus Package will directly affect California agricultural producers, the hope should be that the stimulus will increase demand by jumpstarting the economy. The infrastructure projects may have both short and long term benefits for agriculture. Construction activity may give rural economies a shot in the arm while the improved water programs and computer communication capabilities may create significant long term benefit. |
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Comments, questions or story ideas? Please contact newsletter editor Richard Cherrix at 916.561.5900 ext. 107 or richc@agfoodsafety.org IN THIS ISSUE American Council for Food Safety and Quality/ DFA of CA Board Members Specialty Crop Trade Council Board Members Member Spotlight: Chico Nut Company Staff Spotlight: Patrick Ferreira The Roaring Twenties 1920-1929 World-Class Food Safety Experts are California Bound 
SCTC Summer Meeting By Erika Tarr & Patrick Ferreira The Specialty Crop Trade Council (SCTC) held its summer meeting on August 11, 2009 in Stockton, California. 40 SCTC members and associate members attended. The meeting began with an introduction of the new President /CEO of SCTC, Gary Ford. A recap of 2009-2010 carrier contracts were reviewed. SCTC is currently renegotiating rates with Hapag Lloyd as our current contract expires on August 31, 2009. The membership will be notified once the contract has been agreed upon, signed, and the new contract number is provided by the carrier. read more Container Shortage By Erika Tarr Recently, there has been a container shortage in Oakland with a couple of our carriers. This is due to the low number of imports that are coming into this particular port. With the low volume of imports and a continuous flow of exports out of Oakland, it was inevitable that the carriers would soon run out of equipment. Traditionally, we have an issue with reefers (refrigerated containers); however, in 2009 we have seen a shortage of 20’ and 40’ dry containers (non-refrigerated containers). read more U.S. Free Trade agreements Please click here for more information |
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