WineAmerica participates in a number of coalitions that focus on a few different issues. One of the most important coalitions we belong to is the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. A large part of our advocacy on the Farm Bill is in conjunction with the Alliance. We participate in meetings organized by the Alliance as a compliment to the meetings we hold on our own.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is a national coalition of more than 200 organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. The Alliance was established to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop agriculture and improve the health of Americans by broadening the scope of U.S. agricultural public policy. F
In 2008, the Alliance successfully advocated for a Farm Bill that for the first time made a strong investment in specialty crops. The bill included provisions that would help the U.S. specialty crop industry compete and grow in domestic and global markets. It assisted specialty crop producers by:
- Expanding the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states. This program develops lifelong healthy eating habits for children through consumption of fruits and vegetables.
- Establishing a specialty crop research initiative to develop and disseminate science-based tools to address the needs of specialty crop producers.
- Increasing funding for state-level specialty crop grants that focus on local, regional and statewide programs to enhance producers’ ability to compete in the marketplace and provide consumers with safe, abundant food.
- Enhancing critical trade assistance and market promotion tools that will grow international markets for specialty crops.
- Investing in prevention and mitigation programs and tools to combat invasive pests and diseases, which cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars per year.
- Facilitating specialty crop producers’ access to and participation in conservation programs.