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Farm Bill Passes House With VETS-2-FARM Bill
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U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) recently voted in support of the 2018 Farm Bill to lend security to farmers and keep Central Valley agriculture productive for generations to come. The bill also includes Denham’s VET-2-FARM legislation to connect the veteran community with jobs in the farming industry and provisions to strengthen existing ag programs, target resources towards rural development, pest and disease prevention, encourage conservation efforts, and provide a reliable safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers.

“As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, I am proud to include Central Valley priorities in the final bill,” said Rep. Denham. “These important protections will benefit our farmers for years to come.”

Denham’s VETS-2-FARM Act was first introduced alongside Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) earlier this year and will connect veteran populations in need of more and better jobs with opportunities in the agriculture industry that is desperately in need of a new generation of farmers. In May, Denham’s related amendment to require USDA to provide resources and information for veterans on how they can use their GI benefits for farming and agricultural programs passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019. The VETS-2-FARM Act gives veterans the tools they need to use their hard-earned benefits to learn practical skills and launch careers in agriculture.

The 2018 Farm Bill will improve important crop insurance programs, modernize the dairy safety net, and add $600 million for research and development, including $80 million in annual funding for specialty crop research and an additional $25 million annually for citrus disease research, to keep American agriculture at the forefront of innovation and productivity. In addition to these important provisions, the bill includes Rep. Denham’s language to prohibit the consumption of dog and cat meat in the U.S.

Denham represents California’s 10th congressional district, which includes Stanislaus County and a portion of San Joaquin County. He is the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials and also serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources.