WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement in response to House passage of the H.R. 2416, the Farm Bill, by a margin 318-106:

“African Americans have a long history of making positive contribution to our nation’s agricultural economy.  For African Americans, this farm bill takes critical and unprecedented steps in the right direction to remedy inequities in farm programs, encourages additional funding for Historically Black Colleges (the 1890 institutions) by making them eligible to participate in USDA programs that they currently do not participate in, and makes landmark investment in nutrition and food stamp programs that help 38 million American families afford healthy food.  The conference report takes critical steps in the right direction to remedy these problems.”

Here are some important aspects of the bill:

NUTRITION

Most notably, the Farm Bill offers significant improvements to the Food Stamp and Nutrition Programs, 1890 land-grant institutions, improved access to programs for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, including language and funds to address outstanding claims from Pigford v. Veneman and strengthens trade benefits with the Caribbean.

Nearly three-fourths of the Farm Bill is devoted to nutrition related programs, specifically we have helped negotiate an additional $10.4 billion to nutrition programs that help 38 million American families afford healthy food.  Households with children receive 77% of food stamp benefits.

HBCU’s

The report encourages additional funding for Historically Black Colleges (the 1890 institutions) by making clear that 1890 institutions are eligible to participate in USDA programs that they currently do not participate in and it raises their authorized funding level for Evans-Allen and Smith Lever Act programs.

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