http://www.ers.usda.gov/FarmBill/ Agricultural policy affects not only the economic well-being of farm households, but also our food supply, the environment, and the future of rural communities. The current farm law (the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) remains in force only through 2007. The agriculture committees in Congress have begun to debate ideas and, in the upcoming months, will be crafting legislation that will become the next farm law. ERS analysts examine the economic effects of current farm legislation on producers, consumers, taxpayers, and rural communities, and evaluate potential effects of alternative policies and programs. Included in this feature is a selection of recent ERS research and analysis on issues that the farm bill debate will address. en-us Thu, 10 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT 60 http://www.ers.usda.gov/FarmBill/ http://www.ers.usda.gov/FarmBill/ Agricultural policy affects not only the economic well-being of farm households, but also our food supply, the environment, and the future of rural communities. The current farm law (the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) remains in force only through 2007. The agriculture committees in Congress have begun to debate ideas and, in the upcoming months, will be crafting legislation that will become the next farm law. ERS analysts examine the economic effects of current farm legislation on producers, consumers, taxpayers, and rural communities, and evaluate potential effects of alternative policies and programs. Included in this feature is a selection of recent ERS research and analysis on issues that the farm bill debate will address. Thu, 10 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FarmPolicy/gov-pay.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FarmPolicy/gov-pay.htm#2007-5-1 Government payments encompass all payments to the farm sector. Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:52:55 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/features/commodity/ http://www.ers.usda.gov/features/commodity/#2007-5-1 U.S. agriculture faces a world of new technologies, variable consumer preferences, evolving market structures, and shifting trade patterns that present multiple challenges to commodity producers. Adding to the complexity, domestic and international policy developments and emerging trade agreements require continual attention and adjustment. Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:37:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Relaxing.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Relaxing.htm#2007-5-1 A recent WTO ruling may result in the elimination of planting restrictions on certain crops, a long-time feature of U.S. commodity programs. Tue, 1 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FarmPolicy/gov-pay.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FarmPolicy/gov-pay.htm#2007-5-1 Despite benefits of freer trade, high agricultural tariffs remain a sticking point in suspended Doha Round trade talks. Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:54:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/wrs0701/ http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/wrs0701/#2007-5-1 Implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is drawing to a close. Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:27:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib6-4/ http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib6-4/#2007-5-1 Federal expenditures for USDA's food assistance programs totaled almost $53 billion in fiscal 2006, a 4-percent increase over the previous fiscal year. Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:52:55 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Improving.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Improving.htm#2007-5-1 An expanded focus on nutrition may steer food stamp participants to better diets. Tue, 1 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Policy.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Policy.htm#2007-5-1 No longer tied closely to farm policies, rural economies in the 21st century will be shaped demographic change, industrial restructuring, and national economic trends. Tue, 1 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/RuralAtAGlance/ http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/RuralAtAGlance/#2007-5-1 The At A Glance series: Rural America At A Glance, Rural Educations At A Glance, Rural Poverty At A Glance Tue, 1 May 2007 12:11:55 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Ethanol.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Ethanol.htm#2007-5-1 The expanding U.S. ethanol sector is stimulating demand for corn, but alternatives to corn may dampen that demand. Tue, 1 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Insurance.htm http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/May07SpecialIssue/Features/Insurance.htm#2007-5-1 Revenue insurance may do a better job of stabilizing farm income and may protect more farms than other risk management tools. Tue, 1 May 2007 13:15:00 GMT