Walz Continues Fight to Give Farmers More Planting Flexibility

Press Release

Walz Continues Fight To Give Farmers More Planting Flexibility

Says support of bipartisan Farm Flex bill builds on his success in 2008 Farm Bill

Building on his successful push in last year's Farm Bill to give farmers greater freedom to plant fruits and vegetables, Congressman Walz today announced he is cosponsoring the Farming Flexibility Act of 2009.

The Farming Flexibility Act of 2009 expands upon a pilot program Walz helped establish in the 2008 Farm Bill that gives farmers greater freedom to plant fruits and vegetables on their farmland. Many farmers in the Midwest are currently penalized by planting restrictions that discourage farmers from diversifying their crops. Walz said that these planting restrictions create an unnecessary cycle of reliance on federal farm program payments and make it more difficult for processing companies across the Midwest to secure a reliable supply of fruits and vegetables.

"Farm Flex is an overdue correction that will benefit family farmers and food processors," said Walz. "Southern Minnesota's processors need a steady supply of crops and Minnesota's farmers want to diversify their operations. This legislation helps them both and prevents producers from being penalized for growing something other than traditional farm program crops."

The Farm Flex bill would result in significant cost savings for the federal government, is supported by a coalition of food processors and family farmers, is consistent with free market principles, and improves World Trade Organization (WTO) compliance.

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