Summary: Local School Foods Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary will give not more than three participating states the option of receiving a grant (in an amount equal to the value of USDA commodities that the participating state would otherwise receive for each of FY2012 and FY2013) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions participating in food service programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

local school foods act amends farm security rural investment act direct secretary agriculture usda conduct pilot program secretary participating states option receiving grant equal value usda commodities participating state receive fy2012 fy2013 purchase fresh fruits vegetables distribution schools service institutions participating food service programs national school lunch act child nutrition act


Summary: Crop Risk Options Plan Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to: (1) provide an agricultural producer with the option of purchasing additional crop insurance coverage (total coverage option) based on an area yield and loss basis instead of an individual yield and loss basis, (2) trigger additional coverage when area losses reach 10% of normal levels, (3) limit indemnities to the amount of the deductible under the underlying individual policy, and (4) set premium subsidies for the additional coverage at not less than 60%. Revises actual production history deteminations from a 10-year average to a 7-year average with the highest and lowest production year dropped from the average.

crop risk options plan act amends federal_crop_insurance_act provide agricultural producer option purchasing additional crop insurance coverage total coverage option based area yield loss basis instead individual yield loss basis trigger additional coverage area losses reach normal levels limit indemnities deductible underlying individual policy set premium subsidies additional coverage revises actual production history year average year average highest lowest production year dropped average


Summary: Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 or the REFRESH Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), regarding all covered commodities and peanuts during each of the 2013-2017 crop years, to give the operator, tenant, or sharecropper on a farm an opportunity to make an annual election to receive aggregate risk and revenue management (ARRM) payments for the crop year for which the election is made. (Replaces the average crop revenue election program with the ARRM program.) Repeals the direct and counter-cyclical payment programs for covered commodities and peanuts beginning with the 2013 crop year. Suspends permanent price support authority through December 31, 2017. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to: (1) authorize the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to offer supplemental coverage based on an area yield and loss basis to cover that portion of a crop loss not covered under the producer's individual yield and loss basis insurance plan, (2) require CCC to offer a whole farm insurance plan that allows a producer to qualify for an indemnity if actual gross farm revenue is below 80% of the producer's average gross farm revenue, and (3) extend and expand the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to repeal the sugar loan program. Eliminates tariffs on: (1) raw sugar cane, (2) beet sugar, and (3) certain refined sugar. Establishes through December 31, 2017: (1) a dairy producer margin protection program, and (2) a dairy market stabilization program. Revises milk marketing order provisions. Eliminates: (1) the dairy product and permanent milk price support programs, (2) the milk income loss contract program, and (3) the dairy export incentive program. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to: (1) extend and modify the conservation reserve program; (2) eliminate the pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in the conservation reserve; (3) establish an easement benefits program to protect land, wildlife, and water and to address conservation initiative issues; and (4) establish in lieu of the environmental quality incentives program a working land program to promote agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality. Extends: (1) the conservation of private grazing land program, (2) the grass roots source water protection program, (3) the Great Lakes basin program for soil erosion and sediment control, (4) the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, (5) the voluntary public access and habitat incentive program, and (6) the reservation of funds for the cooperative conservation partnership initiative. Amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to eliminate the healthy forests reserve program. Amends the Food and Nutrition Act to revise the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program). Extends: (1) the Indian reservation food distribution program, (2) pilot projects to evaluate health and nutrition promotion, (3) healthy urban food enterprise development centers, (4) the authorization of appropriations for Food and Nutrition Act programs, (5) commodity purchase authority, and (6) emergency food program infrastructure grants. Extends: (1) the commodity distribution program, (2) the commodity supplemental food program, and (3) the surplus commodities to special nutrition projects program. Extends: (1) the fresh fruits and vegetables for schools and service institutions program, (2) the senior farmers' market nutrition program, (3) the nutrition information and awareness program, and (4) the hunger-free communities program. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) provide grants for the provision of biobased product information to organizations that have large procurement needs or vehicle fleets, or that produce products with which biobased products or biofuels can be integrated; (2) provide for agreements with qualifying entities for energy efficiency loan demonstration projects; (3) provide interest-free loans to eligible entities for loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures; and (4) eliminate the feeedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers. Extends: (1) the rural energy for America program, (2) the biomass crop assistance program, and (3) the rural energy savings program.

act amends food conservation energy act direct secretary agriculture usda covered commodities peanuts crop years operator tenant sharecropper farm opportunity annual election receive aggregate risk revenue management payments crop year election replaces average crop revenue election program program repeals direct counter cyclical payment programs covered commodities peanuts beginning crop year suspends permanent price support authority december amends federal_crop_insurance_act authorize commodity_credit_corporation ccc offer supplemental coverage based area yield loss basis cover portion crop loss covered producer individual yield loss basis insurance plan require ccc offer farm insurance plan allows producer qualify indemnity actual gross farm revenue producer average gross farm revenue extend expand adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act repeal sugar loan program eliminates tariffs raw sugar cane beet sugar certain refined sugar establishes december dairy producer margin protection program dairy market stabilization program revises milk marketing order provisions eliminates dairy product permanent milk price support programs milk income loss contract program dairy export incentive program amends food security act extend modify conservation reserve program eliminate pilot program enrollment wetland buffer acreage conservation reserve establish easement benefits program protect land wildlife water address conservation initiative issues establish lieu environmental quality incentives program working land program promote agricultural production forest management environmental quality extends conservation private grazing land program grass roots source water protection program great_lakes basin program soil erosion sediment control chesapeake_bay watershed program voluntary public access habitat incentive program reservation funds cooperative conservation partnership initiative amends healthy forests restoration act eliminate healthy forests reserve program amends food_and_nutrition_act revise supplemental nutrition assistance program snap food stamp program extends indian reservation food distribution program pilot projects evaluate health nutrition promotion healthy urban food enterprise development centers authorization appropriations food_and_nutrition_act programs commodity purchase authority emergency food program infrastructure grants extends commodity distribution program commodity supplemental food program surplus commodities special nutrition projects program extends fresh fruits vegetables schools service institutions program senior farmers market nutrition program nutrition information awareness program hunger free communities program amends farm_security rural investment act provide grants provision biobased product information organizations large procurement needs vehicle fleets produce products biobased products biofuels integrated provide agreements qualifying entities energy efficiency loan demonstration projects provide interest free loans eligible entities loans consumers implement energy efficiency measures eliminate flexibility program bioenergy producers extends rural energy america program biomass crop assistance program rural energy savings program


Summary: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend: (1) the conservation reserve and related programs, (2) the pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in the conservation reserve program, (3) the environmental quality incentives program, (4) activities to address air quality concerns from agricultural operations, and (5) the conservation access program. Permits conservation reserve contract modification to facilitate transfers from retiring owners to limited resource farmers or ranchers. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) reduce the number of operating years required for a beginning farmer or rancher to qualify for a direct real estate loan, (2) authorize micro loans for beginning farmers or ranchers who are between 19 and 35 years old, (3) extend real estate and operating loan authority at increased levels, (4) revise private source transition provisions, (5) make the direct operating loan set-aside for beginning farmers and ranchers permanent, (6) permit loans and grants for entrepreneurial farm and farm-related enterprises, and (7) extend the beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program. Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to extend the value-added agricultural product market development grant program. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the beginning farmer and rancher development program. Provides assistance for agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans. Amends the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to extend the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Provides priority assistance for new farming opportunities, including young, beginning, socially disadvantaged, and immigrant issues, as well as farm entry, transition, and transfer issues. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to express the sense of Congress that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) should remove barriers and ensure effective access to crop and revenue insurance by beginning farmers and ranchers. Extends authority for reimbursement of research, development, and maintenance costs. Provides for risk management programs targeted at beginning, socially disadvantaged, transitioning, or legal immigrant farmers and ranchers. Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group (within the Office of Advocacy and Outreach) to designate a state small and beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among the state office employees of the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Risk Management Agency, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service. Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in USDA the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

beginning_farmer rancher opportunity act amends food security act extend conservation reserve related programs pilot program enrollment wetland buffer acreage conservation reserve program environmental quality incentives program activities address air quality concerns agricultural operations conservation access program permits conservation reserve contract modification facilitate transfers retiring owners limited resource farmers ranchers amends consolidated_farm rural development act reduce number operating years required beginning farmer rancher qualify direct real estate loan authorize micro loans beginning farmers ranchers years old extend real estate operating loan authority increased levels revise private source transition provisions direct operating loan set aside beginning farmers ranchers permanent permit loans grants entrepreneurial farm farm related enterprises extend beginning farmer rancher individual development accounts pilot program amends agricultural_risk_protection_act extend value added agricultural product market development grant program amends farm_security rural investment act extend beginning farmer rancher development program provides assistance agricultural rehabilitation vocational training veterans amends competitive special facilities research grant act extend agriculture_and_food_research_initiative provides priority assistance new farming opportunities including young beginning socially disadvantaged immigrant issues farm entry transition transfer issues amends federal_crop_insurance_act express sense congress department_of_agriculture usda remove barriers ensure effective access crop revenue insurance beginning farmers ranchers extends authority reimbursement research development maintenance costs provides risk management programs targeted beginning socially disadvantaged transitioning legal immigrant farmers ranchers amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act direct small farms designate state small beginning farmer rancher coordinator state office employees farm_service_agency natural_resources_conservation_service risk_management_agency rural_utilities_service amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act establish usda position military veterans agricultural liaison


Summary: Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2011 - Provides for the inclusion of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products under specified agricultural, rural development, agricultural research, crop insurance, and nutrition programs. Directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to offer a whole farm adjusted revenue risk management insurance plan that allows a producer to qualify for an indemnity if actual gross farm revenue is below 85% of the producer's average gross farm revenue. Prohibits the Corporation from requiring organic crop insurance premium surcharges. Directs the Corporation to offer organic crop producers price elections that reflect actual retail or wholesale prices. Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (formerly known as the Food Stamp Act of 1977) to require state agencies to treat wireless retailers in the same manner as wired program retail food stores for purposes of supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP, formerly food stamp) benefits. Defines "wireless retailer" to include: (1) a farmers market, (2) a farm stand, (3) a green cart, (4) a route vendor, (5) an entity operating a community-supported agriculture or fishery program, (6) a buying club, and (7) a farmer affiliated with such entities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a wireless retailer electronic benefit transfer pilot program for smartphone technology. Extends: (1) the program of fresh fruit and vegetable purchases for distribution to schools and service institutions; (2) the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program; (3) the seniors farmers' market nutrition program; (4) the rural business opportunity grant program; (5) the value-added agricultural product market development grant program; (6) the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative; (7) the specialty block grant program; and (8) the national organic certification cost-share program. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to permit schools to use an amount equal to 15% of their commodity dollars for purchases of locally grown food. Increases the annual fiscal year limit for community food project grants. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make and guarantee loans for the production of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to evaluate how the credit needs of young, beginning, and small farmers and local and regional farm and food systems are being met by the Farm Credit System, USDA, the Department of the Treasury, and any other federal agencies. Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct: (1) the Secretary to distribute price reporting of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products, and (2) the Under Secretary to establish a special initiative to coordinate USDA research relating to classical plant and animal breeding. Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary to increase technical assistance for sustainable local and regional food systems. Amends the the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to establish the local marketing promotion program (in lieu of the farmers market promotion program) to promote producer-to-consumer marketing, including farmers markets and other local and regional food markets. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Food Safety and Inspection Service technical assistance divisions to provide directly or through grants outreach, education, and training to very small or certain small meat and poultry processing plants. Directs the Secretary to establish an electronic option for meat and poultry label preapproval. Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to provide funding for the national food safety training, education, outreach, and technical assistance program.

local farms food jobs_act provides inclusion locally regionally produced agricultural food products specified agricultural rural development agricultural research crop insurance nutrition programs directs federal_crop_insurance_corporation offer farm adjusted revenue risk management insurance plan allows producer qualify indemnity actual gross farm revenue producer average gross farm revenue prohibits corporation requiring organic crop insurance premium surcharges directs corporation offer organic crop producers price elections reflect actual retail wholesale prices amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 known food_stamp_act require state agencies treat wireless retailers manner program retail food stores purposes supplemental nutrition assistance snap food stamp benefits defines wireless retailer include farmers market farm stand green route vendor entity operating community supported agriculture fishery program buying club farmer affiliated entities directs secretary agriculture usda establish wireless retailer electronic benefit transfer pilot program technology extends program fresh fruit vegetable purchases distribution schools service institutions special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic farmers market nutrition program seniors farmers market nutrition program rural business opportunity grant program value added agricultural product market development grant program agriculture_and_food_research_initiative specialty block grant program national organic certification cost share program amends national school lunch act permit schools use equal commodity dollars purchases locally grown food increases annual fiscal year limit community food project grants amends consolidated_farm rural development act direct secretary guarantee loans production locally regionally produced agricultural food products directs comptroller_general gao evaluate credit needs young beginning small farmers local regional farm food systems met usda department_of_the_treasury federal agencies amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act direct secretary distribute price reporting locally regionally produced agricultural food products secretary establish special initiative coordinate usda research relating plant animal breeding amends rural development act direct secretary increase technical assistance sustainable local regional food systems amends farmer consumer direct marketing act establish local marketing promotion program lieu farmers market promotion program promote producer consumer marketing including farmers markets local regional food markets directs secretary establish food_safety_and_inspection_service technical assistance divisions provide directly grants outreach education training small certain small meat poultry processing plants directs secretary establish electronic option meat poultry label preapproval amends education reform act provide funding national food safety training education outreach technical assistance program


Summary: Freeing Agriculture to Reap More Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit, subject to exemptions, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address climate change. Excludes GHGs from the definition of "air pollutant" for purposes of addressing climate change. Repeals and makes ineffective specified rules and actions concerning permit requirements or emission standards for GHGs to address climate change. Exempts covered farm vehicles and operators of such vehicles from specified requirements governing commercial motor vehicles and operators. Prohibits the Administrator from proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulation that revises the national primary ambient air quality standard or the national secondary ambient air quality standard applicable to coarse particulate matter (generally referred to as PM10) and that is proposed or finalized on or after this Act's enactment if the Administrator determines that such regulation will incur compliance costs in the United States of more than $100 million annually. Prohibits occupational safety and health standards from being construed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as prohibiting an employee from working inside a grain bin while a sweep auger is in operation. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to exclude a service vehicle carrying diesel fuel in quantities of 3,785 liters (1,000 gallons) or less from requirements concerning transporting hazardous material and obtaining a hazardous material endorsement if such vehicle is: (1) driven by a class A commercial driver's license holder who is a custom harvester, an agricultural retailer, an agricultural business employee, an agricultural cooperative employee, or an agricultural producer; and (2) clearly marked with a placard reading "Diesel Fuel." Prohibits the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army from altering the meaning of the terms "navigable waters" and "waters of the United States" in relation to regulations promulgated pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act [CWA]). Prohibits federal agencies, in carrying out any Act or program to reduce the effects of GHG emissions on climate change, from imposing a fee or tax on gaseous emissions emitted directly by livestock. Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the CWA to prohibit the Administrator or a state from requiring a permit for a discharge of a pesticide authorized for sale, distribution, or use under such Acts from a point source into navigable waters. Provides that such prohibition does not apply to specified discharges of pesticides, including stormwater discharges, manufacturing or industrial effluent, treatment works effluent, or discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. Amends the Animal Welfare Act to exclude from the meaning of "dealer" a person who does not sell wild animals, dogs, or cats, and who derives no more that $5,000 (currently $500) gross income from the sale of other animals. Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from using funds made available to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide funds or administrative support for the White House Rural Council. Prohibits the Administrator from taking into consideration indirect emissions from land use changes while establishing or determining compliance with any requirement or limitation under the Clean Air Act. Excludes from the meaning of "lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions" indirect emissions from land use changes. Amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to require the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of derivatives regulations prior to implementing final regulations. Amends the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 to revise provisions concerning transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies by exempting areas within a 150 (currently 100) air-mile radius from the source of the commodities or the distribution point for the farm supplies from requirements regarding maximum driving and on-duty time for drivers used by motor carriers. Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from initiating the rulemaking proposed and published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2011, and promulgating any regulations or revisions described in such proposed rulemaking related to permissible employment of minors in agricultural and nonagricultural occupations.

agriculture reap act amends clean air act prohibit subject exemptions administrator environmental_protection_agency epa promulgating regulation concerning taking action relating taking consideration emission greenhouse gas ghg address climate change excludes ghgs definition air pollutant purposes addressing climate change repeals makes ineffective specified rules actions concerning permit requirements emission standards ghgs address climate change exempts covered farm vehicles operators vehicles specified requirements governing commercial motor vehicles operators prohibits administrator proposing finalizing implementing enforcing regulation revises national primary ambient air quality standard national secondary ambient air quality standard applicable particulate matter generally referred proposed finalized act enactment administrator determines regulation incur compliance costs united_states million annually prohibits occupational safety health standards construed occupational_safety_and_health_administration osha prohibiting employee working inside grain bin operation requires secretary transportation dot exclude service vehicle carrying diesel fuel quantities gallons requirements concerning transporting hazardous material obtaining hazardous material endorsement vehicle driven class commercial driver license holder custom agricultural retailer agricultural business employee agricultural cooperative employee agricultural producer clearly marked reading diesel fuel prohibits administrator secretary army altering meaning terms navigable waters waters united_states relation regulations promulgated pursuant federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act cwa prohibits federal agencies carrying act program reduce effects ghg emissions climate change imposing fee tax gaseous emissions emitted directly livestock amends federal_insecticide fungicide rodenticide_act fifra cwa prohibit administrator state requiring permit discharge pesticide authorized sale distribution use acts point source navigable waters provides prohibition apply specified discharges pesticides including stormwater discharges manufacturing industrial effluent treatment works effluent discharges incidental normal operation vessel amends animal welfare act exclude meaning dealer person sell wild animals dogs cats derives currently gross income sale animals prohibits secretary agriculture funds available department_of_agriculture usda provide funds administrative support prohibits administrator taking consideration indirect emissions land use changes establishing determining compliance requirement limitation clean air act excludes meaning lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions indirect emissions land use changes amends dodd-frank_wall_street_reform consumer protection act require commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc conduct comprehensive analysis economic impact derivatives regulations prior implementing final regulations amends revise provisions concerning transportation agricultural commodities farm supplies exempting areas currently air mile radius source commodities distribution point farm supplies requirements maximum driving duty time drivers motor carriers prohibits secretary labor initiating rulemaking proposed published federal_register september promulgating regulations revisions described proposed rulemaking related permissible employment minors agricultural nonagricultural occupations


Summary: Dairy Pricing Deregulation Act - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to revise the terms of federal milk marketing orders. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to: (1) survey and publish data regarding milk handler payments for milk purchased from producers or associations of producers, and (2) publish such data on a national weighted-average basis and on a regional basis with respect to as many multi-state regions as the Secretary determines appropriate.

dairy pricing act amends agricultural adjustment act reenacted amendments agricultural_marketing_agreement_act revise terms federal milk marketing orders directs secretary agriculture usda survey publish data milk handler payments milk purchased producers associations producers publish data national weighted average basis regional basis respect multi state regions secretary determines appropriate


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency, to compensate certain poultry producers whose production contracts were terminated or not renewed because of the closure of poultry processing plants and other cost cutting measures undertaken by a poultry processing company in bankruptcy protection. Requires a producer seeking compensation to document the contract's termination or non-renewal and the economic losses incurred from such termination or non-renewal.

directs secretary agriculture usda farm_service_agency compensate certain poultry producers production contracts terminated renewed closure poultry processing plants cost cutting measures undertaken poultry processing company bankruptcy protection requires producer seeking compensation document contract termination non renewal economic losses incurred termination non renewal


Summary: Genetically Engineered Technology Farmer Protection Act - Genetically Engineered Crop and Animal Farmer Protection Act - Requires a biotech company that sells any genetically engineered animal, plant, or seed that will be used in the United States to: (1) provide the purchaser with written notice of possible legal and environmental risks of such article's use (such disclosure shall neither relieve the company from liability nor be construed to create purchaser liability), and (2) disclose any technology fees to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) and not charge fees that are higher than those outside the United States. Sets forth related contract prohibitions and limitations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify which plants are outcrossed pollinators and make such information available to affected sellers and purchasers, and (2) issue rules to require mitigation strategies for predominately outcrossed crops. Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) establish the best achievable resistance plan for plant-incorporated pesticides engineered to include toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), (2) revoke Bt registrations not in plan compliance, (3) reduce a pesticide's use if it is determined to be facilitating Bt-toxin resistance in pests, and (4) establish an advisory panel. Prohibits: (1) labeling seeds as non-genetically engineered if the Secretary determines such seeds contains genetically engineered material; (2) manufacture, sale, or planting of genetically engineered or chemically induced non-fertile seeds; and (3) loan discrimination against a producer who refuses to use genetically engineered plants or animals. Authorizes, with respect to violations under this Act: (1) the Secretary to assess civil penalties; and (2) citizen suits against the Secretary, a federal agency, or an individual. Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act of 2011 - States that: (1) a biotech company shall be liable to any party injured by the release of a genetically engineered organism into the environment if the injury results from such genetic engineering, and (2) liability may not be waived or otherwise avoided by contract.

genetically engineered technology farmer protection act genetically engineered crop company sells genetically engineered animal plant seed united_states provide purchaser written notice possible legal environmental risks article use disclosure shall relieve company liability construed create purchaser liability disclose technology fees secretary agriculture usda charge fees higher outside united_states sets forth related contract prohibitions limitations directs secretary identify plants pollinators information available affected sellers purchasers issue rules require mitigation strategies predominately crops amends federal_insecticide fungicide rodenticide_act direct administrator environmental_protection_agency epa establish best achievable resistance plan plant incorporated pesticides engineered include toxins derived revoke registrations plan compliance reduce pesticide use determined facilitating toxin resistance pests establish advisory panel prohibits labeling seeds non genetically engineered secretary determines seeds contains genetically engineered material manufacture sale planting genetically engineered chemically induced non seeds loan discrimination producer refuses use genetically engineered plants animals authorizes respect violations act secretary assess civil penalties citizen suits secretary federal agency individual genetically engineered organism liability act states company shall liable party injured release genetically engineered organism environment injury results genetic engineering liability waived avoided contract


Summary: Farmers Disaster Assistance Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make supplemental payments to agricultural producers receiving direct payments for covered commodities, direct payments for peanuts, or average crop revenue election (ACRE) payments in disaster counties that had qualifying losses for the 2011 crop year. Sets forth related insurance requirements. Directs the Secretary to provide grants to qualifying states through September 30, 2012, to assist specialty crop producers for losses due to excessive rainfall and related conditions affecting the 2011 crops. Eliminates numerical and durational limitations on operating loan waivers for a farm or a ranch in a county which in 2011: (1) has been substantially affected by a natural disaster, or (2) is included in a presidentially-designated major disaster or emergency area. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to suspend through December 31, 2013, the limitation on the period for which borrowers are eligible for guaranteed farm operating loans in a county which in 2011: (1) has been substantially affected by a natural disaster, or (2) is included in a presidentially-designated major disaster or emergency area.

farmers disaster assistance act directs secretary agriculture usda supplemental payments agricultural producers receiving direct payments covered commodities direct payments peanuts average crop revenue election acre payments disaster counties qualifying losses crop year sets forth related insurance requirements directs secretary provide grants qualifying states september assist specialty crop producers losses excessive rainfall related conditions affecting crops eliminates numerical limitations operating loan waivers farm ranch county substantially affected natural disaster included presidentially designated major disaster emergency area amends farm_security rural investment act suspend december limitation period borrowers eligible guaranteed farm operating loans county substantially affected natural disaster included presidentially designated major disaster emergency area


Summary: Farm Risk Abatement and Mitigation Election Act of 2012 or the FRAME Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt farm risk management accounts (FRAME Accounts) and allow taxpayers actively engaged in the business of farming or ranching to use distributions from such accounts to protect the solvency of the farm to which the FRAME Account relates and to procure revenue or crop insurance; (2) allow a deduction from gross income for cash contributions to such accounts; (3) specify minimum levels of contributions to, and maximum levels of distributions from, such accounts; (4) set forth tax rules relating to account distributions, excess contributions, and prohibited transactions; and (5) allow a variable business-related tax credit for contributions made to a FRAME Account in the first nine years after such Account is established.

farm risk abatement mitigation election act frame act amends internal revenue code establish tax exempt farm risk management accounts frame accounts allow taxpayers actively engaged business farming ranching use distributions accounts protect solvency farm frame account relates procure revenue crop insurance allow deduction gross income cash contributions accounts specify minimum levels contributions maximum levels distributions accounts set forth tax rules relating account distributions excess contributions prohibited transactions allow variable business related tax credit contributions frame account years account established


Summary: Responsible Farming Act of 2012 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal the conservation stewardship program. States that such repeal shall not be construed to affect the terms and conditions of any stewardship contract that was entered into on or before the date of enactment of this Act.

responsible farming act amends food security act repeal conservation stewardship program states repeal shall construed affect terms conditions stewardship contract entered date enactment act


Summary: Flood Insurance for Farmers Act of 2012 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 with respect to development by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of comprehensive criteria designed to encourage adoption of adequate state and local measures for land-management programs in flood-prone areas. Prohibits such criteria from placing prohibitions, restraints, or conditions, including requiring floodproofing or flood damage mitigation activities or related features, upon either new construction or substantial improvement of an agricultural structure in any area having special flood hazards. Requires such criteria, with respect only to structures in certain levee-protected areas, to require any substantial improvement to an existing residential structure to have the lowest floor (including any basement) elevated to or above the base flood level. Requires such criteria to permit a legacy community located in a covered levee-protected area to adopt adequate land use and control measures for: (1) repair or restoration to pre-damaged conditions, or (2) replacement of existing residential and non-residential structures other than repetitive loss structures. Defines "legacy community" as one whose population is less than 2,000 and is located in an area for which a substantial portion of the economy currently is, and historically was, based upon agricultural production. Directs the Administrator to make flood insurance coverage available upon request for: (1) an agricultural structure located in an area having special flood hazards, and (2) structures in covered levee-protected areas. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish jointly a task force to report to certain congressional committees on challenges faced by legacy communities located in areas having special flood hazards, including recommendations to: (1) strengthen the economic viability and vitality of such communities, and (2) allow infill development and building expansion.

amends national_flood_insurance_act respect development administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema comprehensive criteria designed encourage adoption adequate state local measures land management programs flood prone areas prohibits criteria placing prohibitions conditions including requiring flood damage mitigation activities related features new construction substantial improvement agricultural structure area having special flood hazards requires criteria respect structures certain levee protected areas require substantial improvement existing residential structure lowest floor including elevated base flood level requires criteria permit legacy community located covered levee protected area adopt adequate land use control measures repair restoration pre damaged conditions replacement existing residential non residential structures repetitive loss structures defines legacy community population located area substantial portion economy currently historically based agricultural production directs administrator flood insurance coverage available request agricultural structure located area having special flood hazards structures covered levee protected areas directs administrator secretary agriculture establish jointly task force report certain congressional committees challenges faced legacy communities located areas having special flood hazards including recommendations strengthen economic viability vitality communities allow development building expansion


Summary: MILC Continuation Act of 2012 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend, for one year, the milk income loss contract program.

continuation act amends energy act extend year milk income loss contract program


Summary: Great Lakes Assurance Program Verification Act of 2012 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), in consultation with the Great Lakes States, to establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural non-point source pollution prevention. Defines "Great Lakes State" as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin.

amends food security act require secretary agriculture usda consultation great lakes states establish great_lakes basin initiative agricultural non point source pollution prevention defines great lakes state illinois indiana michigan minnesota new_york ohio pennsylvania wisconsin


Summary: Livestock Disaster Protection Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to make FY2012-FY2017 livestock indemnity payments (at 75% of market value) to eligible producers on farms that have incurred livestock death losses in excess of the normal mortality due to: (1) attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators; or (2) adverse weather, disease, or wildfires. Provides FY2012-FY2017 compensation for losses to eligible livestock producers for livestock grazing losses due to specified drought or fire circumstances. Excludes from coverage grazing losses on conservation reserve program land used for haying or grazing. Provides FY2012-FY2017 emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to reduce losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires.

livestock disaster protection act amends federal_crop_insurance_act fy2012 fy2017 livestock indemnity payments market value eligible producers farms incurred livestock death losses excess normal mortality attacks animals reintroduced wild federal government protected federal law including wolves avian predators adverse weather disease wildfires provides fy2012 fy2017 compensation losses eligible livestock producers livestock grazing losses specified drought fire circumstances excludes coverage grazing losses conservation reserve program land grazing provides fy2012 fy2017 emergency relief eligible producers livestock honey bees farm raised fish reduce losses disease adverse weather conditions blizzards wildfires


Summary: Protect our Prairies Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to reduce crop insurance assistance and noninsured crop disaster assistance for crops grown on native sod acreage converted to cropland for the first four years.

protect act amends federal_crop_insurance_act reduce crop insurance assistance noninsured crop disaster assistance crops grown native sod acreage converted cropland years


Summary: Farm Tax Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of earnings from self-employment, to allow an exclusion from such earnings for farm rental income for which the taxpayer has entered into a lease agreement.

farm tax parity act amends internal revenue code respect tax treatment earnings self employment allow exclusion earnings farm rental income taxpayer entered lease agreement


Summary: Containing Risk, Offering Protection Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to include coverage for losses to an insured commodity when, as a result of a federally-imposed quarantine, the commodity must be destroyed or is unable to be marketed or utilized for its intended purpose.

containing risk offering protection act amends federal_crop_insurance_act include coverage losses insured commodity result federally imposed quarantine commodity destroyed unable marketed utilized intended purpose


Summary: Permits the chief executive of a state to exempt persons in the state acting in their capacity as farmers from a requirement of a covered federal environmental law by determining that such requirement is unduly burdensome to such persons. Requires the chief executive to solicit and accept public comments for at least 90 days before finalizing any such determination. Defines "covered federal environmental law" to mean the Clean Air Act insofar as it applies to emissions of air pollutants other than those resulting from the combustion of fossil fuel, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), and the Solid Waste Disposal Act.

permits chief executive state exempt persons state acting capacity farmers requirement covered federal environmental law determining requirement unduly burdensome persons requires chief executive solicit accept public comments days finalizing determination defines covered federal environmental law mean clean air act insofar applies emissions air pollutants resulting combustion fossil fuel federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act solid waste disposal act


Summary: Crop Insurance Subsidy Reduction Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to reduce crop insurance premium subsidy rates.

crop insurance subsidy reduction act amends federal_crop_insurance_act reduce crop insurance premium subsidy rates


Summary: Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012 - Extends through FY2012: (1) the supplemental agricultural disaster assistance program; (2) the supplemental revenue assistance payments (SURE) program; (3) the livestock indemnity program; (4) the livestock forage disaster program; (5) the emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish; (6) the tree assistance program; and (7) the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund.

agricultural disaster assistance act extends fy2012 supplemental agricultural disaster assistance program supplemental revenue assistance payments sure program livestock indemnity program livestock forage disaster program emergency assistance livestock honey bees farm raised fish tree assistance program agricultural disaster relief trust fund


Summary: Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012 - Extends through FY2012: (1) the livestock indemnity program; (2) the livestock forage disaster program; (3) emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish; and (4) the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund.

supplemental agricultural disaster assistance act extends fy2012 livestock indemnity program livestock forage disaster program emergency assistance livestock honey bees farm raised fish agricultural disaster relief trust fund


Summary: Extends through September 30, 2013, with specified exceptions, programs under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Suspends specified price support authorities. Extends specified: (1) commodity programs, (2) conservation programs, (3) employment and training programs, (4) research programs, (5) energy programs, and (6) horticulture and organic agriculture programs. Extends the program of outreach and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Provides assistance for livestock losses caused by: (1) adverse weather or attacks by federally reintroduced animals, and (2) drought or fire. Provides assistance for orchardists and nursery tree growers for commercial losses caused by natural disasters.

extends september specified exceptions programs energy act suspends specified price support authorities extends specified commodity programs conservation programs employment training programs research programs energy programs horticulture organic agriculture programs extends program outreach technical assistance socially disadvantaged farmers ranchers provides assistance livestock losses caused adverse weather attacks federally reintroduced animals drought fire provides assistance orchardists nursery tree growers commercial losses caused natural disasters


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Forest Service, to use funds derived from conservation-related programs executed on National Forest System lands to utilize the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program to provide technical services for conservation-related programs and authorities carried out by the Secretary on such lands.

authorizes secretary agriculture usda forest_service use funds derived conservation related programs executed national_forest_system lands utilize provide technical services conservation related programs authorities carried secretary lands


Summary: Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make FY2012 livestock indemnity payments from Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to eligible producers on farms that have incurred livestock death losses in excess of the normal mortality due to: (1) attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators; or (2) adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme cold. Sets payment rates at 75% of the market value of the applicable livestock on the day before death. Directs the Secretary to provide FY2012 compensation from CCC funds for losses to eligible livestock producers due to grazing losses for covered livestock caused by drought or fire. States that an eligible livestock producer may receive drought assistance only for grazing losses for covered livestock that occur on land that is: (1) native or improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover, or (2) planted with a crop that specifically provides grazing for covered livestock. Prohibits assistance for grazing losses on land used for haying or grazing under the conservation reserve program. Sets the monthly drought payment rate at 60% of the lesser of: (1) the producer's monthly feed cost for all owned or leased covered livestock, or (2) the producer's monthly feed cost calculated by using the normal carrying capacity of the producer's eligible grazing land. (Establishes a partial payment rate where a producer has disposed of covered livestock because of drought.) States that an eligible livestock producer may receive fire assistance only if: (1) the grazing losses occur on federally-managed rangeland, and (2) the producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on such rangeland due to a fire. Sets the payment rate at 50% of the monthly feed cost for the total number of livestock covered by the producer's federal lease. Directs the Secretary to provide FY2012 emergency relief from CCC funds to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires. Directs the Secretary to provide FY2012 assistance from CCC funds to: (1) eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that lost trees planted for commercial purposes due to a natural disaster, and (2) eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers with a commercial production history that lost planted or existing trees due to a natural disaster. Limits: (1) assistance to only those producers with a tree mortality rate in excess of 15%, and (2) to 500 the total acres planted to trees or tree seedlings for which a person or legal entity may receive payments. Caps tree assistance payments to a person or legal entity (excluding joint ventures or general partnerships) for any crop year at $100,000 or an equivalent value in tree seedlings. Provides reimbursement: (1) at 70% of replanting costs in excess of 15% percent mortality or, at the option of the Secretary, sufficient seedlings to reestablish a stand; and (2) 50% of the cost of pruning, removal, and other costs incurred to salvage existing trees or, in the case of tree mortality, to prepare the land to replant trees in excess of 15% percent damage or mortality. Caps the total amount of disaster assistance payments under this Act to a person or legal entity (excluding joint ventures or general partnerships, and excluding tree assistance payments) for any crop year at $100,000. States that the provisions of this Act shall take effect as of October 1, 2011, and apply to losses that are incurred as the result of a disaster, adverse weather, or other environmental condition that occurs on or before September 30, 2012. Reduces for FY2013: (1) the number of additional acres to be enrolled in the conservation stewardship program, and (2) funding for the environmental quality incentives program.

agricultural disaster assistance act directs secretary agriculture usda fy2012 livestock indemnity payments commodity_credit_corporation ccc funds eligible producers farms incurred livestock death losses excess normal mortality attacks animals reintroduced wild federal government protected federal law including wolves avian predators adverse weather including losses hurricanes floods blizzards disease wildfires extreme heat extreme cold sets payment rates market value applicable livestock day death directs secretary provide fy2012 compensation ccc funds losses eligible livestock producers grazing losses covered livestock caused drought fire states eligible livestock producer receive drought assistance grazing losses covered livestock occur land native improved pasture land permanent vegetative cover planted crop specifically provides grazing covered livestock prohibits assistance grazing losses land grazing conservation reserve program sets monthly drought payment rate lesser producer monthly feed cost owned leased covered livestock producer monthly feed cost calculated normal carrying capacity producer eligible grazing land establishes partial payment rate producer disposed covered livestock drought states eligible livestock producer receive fire assistance grazing losses occur federally managed rangeland producer prohibited federal agency grazing normal permitted livestock rangeland fire sets payment rate monthly feed cost total number livestock covered producer federal lease directs secretary provide fy2012 emergency relief ccc funds eligible producers livestock honey bees farm raised fish aid reduction losses disease including cattle tick adverse weather conditions blizzards wildfires directs secretary provide fy2012 assistance ccc funds eligible orchardists nursery tree growers lost trees planted commercial purposes natural disaster eligible orchardists nursery tree growers commercial production history lost planted existing trees natural disaster limits assistance producers tree mortality rate excess total acres planted trees tree person legal entity receive payments caps tree assistance payments person legal entity excluding joint ventures general partnerships crop year equivalent value tree provides reimbursement replanting costs excess percent mortality option secretary sufficient reestablish stand cost removal costs incurred salvage existing trees case tree mortality prepare land trees excess percent damage mortality caps total disaster assistance payments act person legal entity excluding joint ventures general partnerships excluding tree assistance payments crop year states provisions act shall effect october apply losses incurred result disaster adverse weather environmental condition occurs september reduces fy2013 number additional acres enrolled conservation stewardship program funding environmental quality incentives program


Summary: Crop Insurance Subsidy Transparency Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require annual disclosure of specified crop insurance premium subsidy information in the public interest.

crop insurance subsidy transparency act amends federal_crop_insurance_act require annual disclosure specified crop insurance premium subsidy information public interest


Summary: Commercial Fishing, Farm, and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a Commercial Fishing, Farm, and Ranch Risk Management Account (CFFR Account) to provide farmers and commercial fisherman with additional capital for investment and to protect against operating losses. Allows a tax deduction for cash contributions to a CFFR Account, limited to 20% of the taxpayer's taxable income attributable to an active farm or commercial fishing business. Imposes a 10% additional tax on amounts in a CFFR Account which are not distributed within 10 years after the establishment of such Account.

commercial fishing farm act amends internal revenue code establish account provide farmers commercial fisherman additional capital investment protect operating losses allows tax deduction cash contributions account limited taxpayer taxable income attributable active farm commercial fishing business imposes additional tax amounts account distributed years establishment account


Summary: Preserving Healthy Food for the Hungry Act - Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to provide agricultural product market development grants to assist persons in preserving the quality and shelf-life of fruit and vegetable crops produced by such persons on qualified land through the use of mobile and fixed flash freezing and quick freezing units.

preserving act amends agricultural_risk_protection_act provide agricultural product market development grants assist persons preserving quality shelf life fruit vegetable crops produced persons qualified land use mobile fixed freezing quick freezing units


Summary: Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2012 - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to provide for the increased purchase of Kosher and Halal food and to modify the labeling of the commodities list under the emergency food assistance program to enable Kosher and Halal food bank operators to identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks.

kosher halal food act amends emergency food assistance act provide increased purchase kosher halal food modify labeling commodities list emergency food assistance program enable kosher halal food bank operators identify commodities obtain local food banks


Summary: Stop Unfair Giveaways and Restrictions Act of 2011 or SUGAR Act of 2011 - Eliminates nonrecourse support loans for sugar producers. Lowers sugarcane and sugar beet loans rates each year from 2012-2014 until they are $0 for the 2015 crop. Eliminates: (1) sugar price supports and sugar processor loans as of 2015, and (2) sugar marketing quotas and allotments. Eliminates: (1) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) forfeited sugar storage payments, (2) sugar processor storage facility loans, and (3) the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers as of the 2013 sugar beet crop year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a program to increase the tariff-rate quotas for raw cane sugar and refined sugars that ensures a competitive U.S. sugar processing industry and an adequate supply of reasonably priced sugar in the United States.

stop unfair restrictions act sugar act eliminates nonrecourse support loans sugar producers lowers sugarcane sugar beet loans rates year crop eliminates sugar price supports sugar processor loans sugar marketing quotas allotments eliminates commodity_credit_corporation ccc forfeited sugar storage payments sugar processor storage facility loans feedstock flexibility program bioenergy producers sugar beet crop year directs secretary agriculture usda implement program increase tariff rate quotas raw cane sugar refined sugars ensures competitive sugar processing industry adequate supply reasonably priced sugar united_states


Summary: Democracy for Dairy Producers Act of 2011 - Requires, with respect to a specified referendum on federal milk marketing orders and related reforms, that: (1) if a cooperative association of milk producers elects bloc voting on behalf of its members it must provide each producer with written notice regarding individual ballot procedures, the milk marketing information clearinghouse, and the cooperative's voting intention; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) adjust the association vote to reflect individual producer votes. Requires that each federal milk marketing order: (1) establish a referendum information clearinghouse that includes individual ballot information and referendum due dates and texts, and (2) provide producers with referendum alerts.

democracy dairy producers act requires respect specified referendum federal milk marketing orders related reforms cooperative association milk producers elects voting behalf members provide producer written notice individual ballot procedures milk marketing information clearinghouse cooperative voting intention secretary agriculture usda adjust association vote reflect individual producer votes requires federal milk marketing order establish referendum information clearinghouse includes individual ballot information referendum dates provide producers referendum alerts


Summary: MILC Preservation Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 regarding the milk income loss contract program to: (1) make the current producer payment formula permanent, and (2) revise the payment rate adjustment for feed prices by deleting the subsequent adjustment authority provision.

preservation act amends food conservation energy act milk income loss contract program current producer payment formula permanent revise payment rate adjustment feed prices deleting subsequent adjustment authority provision


Summary: Free Sugar Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to repeal the sugar loan program.

free sugar act amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act repeal sugar loan program


Summary: Rural Access to Credit Act of 2011 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to use commercial lending standards in determining equity requirements for rural entity direct or guaranteed loans. Directs the Secretary, through December 31, 2012, to guarantee up to 90% of high priority business and industry loans up to $10 million. Authorizes the Secretary, beginning on January 1, 2013, to guarantee up to 80% or 90% of high priority business and industry loans up to $10 million. Directs the Secretary to guarantee related line-of-credit loans. Authorizes business and industry loans to be used for refinancing. Waives audit requirements for business and industry loans under $1 million. Authorizes audit waiver for loans of at least $1 million. Directs the Secretary to use the Small Business Administration (SBA) calculation method in calculating the delinquency rate for business and industry loans. Expresses the sense of Congress that in allocating discretionary funds the Secretary should give priority to the rural microentrepreneur assistance program.

amends consolidated_farm rural development act direct secretary agriculture usda use commercial lending standards determining equity requirements rural entity direct guaranteed loans directs secretary december guarantee high priority business industry loans million authorizes secretary beginning january guarantee high priority business industry loans million directs secretary guarantee related line credit loans authorizes business industry loans refinancing waives audit requirements business industry loans million authorizes audit waiver loans million directs secretary use small_business_administration sba calculation method calculating delinquency rate business industry loans expresses sense congress allocating discretionary funds secretary priority rural microentrepreneur assistance program


Summary: Livestock Marketing Fairness Act - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit a livestock sale forward contract (with an exception for specified cooperatives) that: (1) does not contain a firm base price that may be equated to a fixed dollar amount on the contract day; (2) is not offered for open public bid; (3) is based on a formula price; or (4) provides for the sale of more than 40 cattle, 30 swine, or other livestock in a quantity as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA). Defines: (1) "firm base price" as a transaction using an external source reference price; (2) "formula price" as any price term that establishes a base from which a purchase price is calculated on the basis of a price that will not be determined or reported until a date after the forward price is established (with specified exclusions); and (3) "forward contract" as a livestock purchase contract that provides for livestock delivery to a packer at a date that is more than seven days after the date on which the contract is entered into, without regard to whether the contract is for a specified lot of livestock or a specified number of livestock over a certain period of time.

livestock marketing fairness act amends packers stockyards_act prohibit livestock sale forward contract exception specified cooperatives contain firm base price fixed dollar contract day offered open public bid based formula price provides sale cattle swine livestock quantity determined secretary agriculture usda defines firm base price transaction external source reference price formula price price term establishes base purchase price calculated basis price determined reported date forward price established specified exclusions forward contract livestock purchase contract provides livestock delivery packer date seven days date contract entered regard contract specified lot livestock specified number livestock certain period time


Summary: Arizona Wallow Fire Recovery and Monitoring Act - (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to commence within 30 days after enactment of this Act and complete within 75 days an evaluation of the Wallow Fire Area, which shall include: (1) a map of the burn intensity within the Area; (2) a description of the forest conditions in the burned areas, the risks that the conditions in such Area may pose to forest users, communities, private property, and natural resources, and the actions undertaken by the Forest Service to reduce such risks; (3) a map and description of areas for potential hazard tree removal and potential fire-damaged commercial tree removal; (4) preliminary estimates of the costs and receipts to be derived from the hazard tree and fire-damaged commercial timber identified for potential removal and the receipts likely to be lost if action is not taken in a timely manner; and (5) a description of the desired outcomes of rehabilitation and tree removal in burned portions. Requires the Secretary to exclude from areas identified for tree removal high fire-severity burned areas on steep slopes, slopes with an incline greater than 40%, riparian areas, and fragile erosive sites, unless tree removal in those areas is necessary to address public health and safety concerns. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary: (1) to identify projects to reduce such risks by removing hazard trees and fire-damaged, dead, and dying timber resources in such Area; (2) to consider the results of the evaluation in identifying such projects; (3) in selecting tree removal techniques, to take into account the degree of ground disturbances, soil types, soil saturation, worker safety, threatened or endangered species, aquatic systems, and other ecological values associated with project sites; (4) to use an effectiveness monitoring framework to assess the ecological and economic effects of each timber removal project carried out; and (5) in carrying out such projects, to focus tree removal to hazard trees and trees that are already down, dead, or so severely root-sprung that mortality is highly probable and not construct any permanent road. Expresses the intent of Congress that all projects be completed by September 30, 2013. Authorizes the Secretary to use the pre-decisional administrative review process in lieu of an administrative appeal under the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 for any collaboratively-developed project to remove hazard trees and fire-damaged, dead, and dying timber resources in such Area for which a decision notice or record of decision has been issued by September 30, 2012.

arizona fire recovery monitoring act sec requires secretary agriculture usda commence days enactment act complete days evaluation shall include map burn intensity area description forest conditions burned areas risks conditions area pose forest users communities private property natural resources actions undertaken forest_service reduce risks map description areas potential hazard tree removal potential fire damaged commercial tree removal preliminary estimates costs receipts derived hazard tree fire damaged commercial timber identified potential removal receipts likely lost action taken timely manner description desired outcomes rehabilitation tree removal burned portions requires secretary exclude areas identified tree removal high fire severity burned areas greater riparian areas fragile sites tree removal areas necessary address public health safety concerns sec requires secretary identify projects reduce risks removing hazard trees fire damaged dead dying timber resources area consider results evaluation identifying projects selecting tree removal techniques account degree ground disturbances soil types soil worker safety threatened endangered species aquatic systems ecological values associated project sites use effectiveness monitoring framework assess ecological economic effects timber removal project carried carrying projects focus tree removal hazard trees trees dead severely root mortality highly probable construct permanent road expresses intent congress projects completed september authorizes secretary use pre administrative review process lieu administrative appeal department_of_the_interior_and_related_agencies_appropriations_act collaboratively developed project remove hazard trees fire damaged dead dying timber resources area decision notice record decision issued september


Summary: Farming Flexibility Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to consider mung beans and pulse crops as covered commodities whose planting on base acres is prohibited unless the commodity, if planted, is destroyed before harvest. Provides that: (1) as of crop year 2012 producers on a farm may reduce the base acres for any covered commodity for a crop year by one acre for each acre used for the production of fruits or vegetables (other than potatoes) for processing; (2) such acres devoted to fruits or vegetables shall be included in base acres for the covered commodity for the subsequent crop year unless the producers on the farm make the election to produce fruits and vegetables for the subsequent crop year; and (3) if a farm's base acres are recalculated the production of fruits or vegetables shall be considered to be the same as the planting, prevented planting, or production of a covered commodity. Requires producers to: (1) demonstrate that they have entered into a contract to produce a fruit or vegetable crop for processing, (2) produce such crop as part of a crop rotation program to achieve agronomic and pest and disease management benefits, and (3) provide evidence of the crop's disposition.

farming flexibility act amends food conservation energy act consider mung beans pulse crops covered commodities planting base acres prohibited commodity planted destroyed harvest provides crop year producers farm reduce base acres covered commodity crop year acre acre production fruits vegetables processing acres devoted fruits vegetables shall included base acres covered commodity subsequent crop year producers farm election produce fruits vegetables subsequent crop year farm base acres recalculated production fruits vegetables shall considered planting prevented planting production covered commodity requires producers demonstrate entered contract produce fruit vegetable crop processing produce crop crop rotation program achieve pest disease management benefits provide evidence crop disposition


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to provide emergency conservation program assistance and emergency watershed protection program assistance to agricultural producers in qualifying counties adversely affected by Hurricane Irene and related weather conditions.

directs secretary agriculture usda provide emergency conservation program assistance emergency watershed protection program assistance agricultural producers qualifying counties adversely affected related weather conditions


Summary: Agricultural Credit Expansion Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand eligibility for Farm Service Agency operating loans, farm ownership loans, conservation loans, and emergency loans. Deems specified embedded entities (an entity owned wholly or in part by another entity) eligible for farm ownership and operating loans. Deems specified operating-only entities eligible for farm ownership loans. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to determine that an entity that is an owner-operator or operator meets the direct ownership loan requirement if it is owned in whole or in part by other entities and each individual that is an owner of the family farm involved has an ownership interest in each of the other entities. Permits direct loans to be used to refinance Farm Service Agency loans or guaranteed loans. Eliminates the 15-year limitation on the period operating loan borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance.

consolidated_farm rural development act expand eligibility farm_service_agency operating loans farm ownership loans conservation loans emergency loans deems specified embedded entities entity owned wholly entity eligible farm ownership operating loans deems specified operating entities eligible farm ownership loans directs secretary agriculture usda determine entity owner operator operator meets direct ownership loan requirement owned entities individual owner family farm involved ownership interest entities permits direct loans refinance farm_service_agency loans guaranteed loans eliminates year limitation period operating loan borrowers eligible guaranteed assistance


Summary: Shellfish Equity Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to include shellfish as an eligible crop in the noninsured crop disaster assistance program. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to include shellfish producers in the emergency assistance for livestock program.

shellfish equity act amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act include shellfish eligible crop noninsured crop disaster assistance program amends federal_crop_insurance_act include shellfish producers emergency assistance livestock program


Summary: Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management Act of 2011 or the ARRM Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), regarding all covered commodities and peanuts during each of the 2013-2017 crop years, to give the operator, tenant, or sharecropper on a farm an opportunity to make an annual election for all producers on the farm to receive aggregate risk and revenue management payments for the crop year for which the election is made. (Replaces the average crop revenue election program with the ARRM program.) Repeals the direct and counter-cyclical payment programs for covered commodities and peanuts beginning with the 2013 crop year. Suspends permanent price support authority through December 31, 2017.

revenue management act act amends food conservation energy act direct secretary agriculture usda covered commodities peanuts crop years operator tenant sharecropper farm opportunity annual election producers farm receive aggregate risk revenue management payments crop year election replaces average crop revenue election program program repeals direct counter cyclical payment programs covered commodities peanuts beginning crop year suspends permanent price support authority december


Summary: Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to base the minimum Class II milk price on the national average cost of production which shall be the difference between: (1) the national average of the operating cost and the allocated overhead cost of producing all milk in the 48 contiguous states, and (2) the opportunity cost for unpaid labor of producing all milk in such states. Directs the Secretary to: (1) announce the minimum price for Class II milk by November 1 of each year, with specified price adjustment dates; and (2) use the Class II milk price as the basic formula price for all federal and state milk marketing orders and all unregulated milk production areas. States that the price of Class I (fluid) milk price in all federal and state milk marketing orders and all unregulated milk production areas shall be equal to the basic formula price plus the applicable Class I differential under federal and state milk marketing orders. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify all dairy products imported into and exported from the United States, and determine each product's quantity of raw milk; (2) identify the total quantity of milk produced by each dairy producer or farming operation during the three preceding years; (3) if the maximum quantity of milk and milk products has been purchased for mandated federal food programs, determine whether an excess quantity of milk and milk products is being produced for the national domestic market; (4) estimate annual milk production and domestic consumption; and (5) upon a determination of a positive dairy trade balance and excess production, provide for a producer price reduction of up to 5% (not to exceed one-half the minimum Class II milk price) of all milk produced in the 48 contiguous states and marketed by producers for commercial use. Provides new dairy producers with a limited exemption from price reductions. Directs the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to establish a dairy producer account. Prohibits imposition of producer charges for the cost of converting raw milk to manufactured products. States that: (1) disapproval of an amendment to a federal milk order shall not be considered disapproval of the order, and (2) a milk handler that purchases milk from a dairy producer shall assume title for the milk when it is pumped into a milk truck provided by or otherwise delivered to the milk handler.

amends agricultural adjustment act reenacted amendments agricultural_marketing_agreement_act direct secretary agriculture usda base minimum class milk price national average cost production shall difference national average operating cost allocated overhead cost producing milk contiguous states opportunity cost unpaid labor producing milk states directs secretary announce minimum price class milk november year specified price adjustment dates use class milk price basic formula price federal state milk marketing orders unregulated milk production areas states price class fluid milk price federal state milk marketing orders unregulated milk production areas shall equal basic formula price plus applicable class differential federal state milk marketing orders directs secretary identify dairy products imported exported united_states determine product quantity raw milk identify total quantity milk produced dairy producer farming operation preceding years maximum quantity milk milk products purchased mandated federal food programs determine excess quantity milk milk products produced national domestic market estimate annual milk production domestic consumption determination positive dairy trade balance excess production provide producer price reduction exceed half minimum class milk price milk produced contiguous states marketed producers commercial use provides new dairy producers limited exemption price reductions directs commodity_credit_corporation ccc establish dairy producer account prohibits imposition producer charges cost converting raw milk manufactured products states disapproval amendment federal milk order shall considered disapproval order milk handler purchases milk dairy producer shall assume title milk pumped milk truck provided delivered milk handler


Summary: Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 or the REFRESH Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), regarding all covered commodities and peanuts during each of the 2013-2017 crop years, to give the operator, tenant, or sharecropper on a farm an opportunity to make an annual election to receive aggregate risk and revenue management (ARRM) payments for the crop year for which the election is made. (Replaces the average crop revenue election program with the ARRM program.) Repeals the direct and counter-cyclical payment programs for covered commodities and peanuts beginning with the 2013 crop year. Suspends permanent price support authority through December 31, 2017. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to: (1) authorize the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to offer supplemental coverage based on an area yield and loss basis to cover that portion of a crop loss not covered under the producer's individual yield and loss basis insurance plan, (2) require CCC to offer a whole farm insurance plan that allows a producer to qualify for an indemnity if actual gross farm revenue is below 80% of the producer's average gross farm revenue, and (3) extend and expand the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to repeal the sugar loan program. Eliminates tariffs on: (1) raw sugar cane, (2) beet sugar, and (3) certain refined sugar. Establishes through December 31, 2017: (1) a dairy producer margin protection program, and (2) a dairy market stabilization program. Revises milk marketing order provisions. Eliminates: (1) the dairy product and permanent milk price support programs, (2) the milk income loss contract program, and (3) the dairy export incentive program. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to: (1) extend and modify the conservation reserve program; (2) eliminate the pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in the conservation reserve; (3) establish an easement benefits program to protect land, wildlife, and water and to address conservation initiative issues; and (4) establish in lieu of the environmental quality incentives program a working land program to promote agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality. Extends: (1) the conservation of private grazing land program, (2) the grass roots source water protection program, (3) the Great Lakes basin program for soil erosion and sediment control, (4) the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, (5) the voluntary public access and habitat incentive program, and (6) the reservation of funds for the cooperative conservation partnership initiative. Amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to eliminate the healthy forests reserve program. Amends the Food and Nutrition Act to revise the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program). Extends: (1) the Indian reservation food distribution program, (2) pilot projects to evaluate health and nutrition promotion, (3) healthy urban food enterprise development centers, (4) the authorization of appropriations for Food and Nutrition Act programs, (5) commodity purchase authority, and (6) emergency food program infrastructure grants. Extends: (1) the commodity distribution program, (2) the commodity supplemental food program, and (3) the surplus commodities to special nutrition projects program. Extends: (1) the fresh fruits and vegetables for schools and service institutions program, (2) the senior farmers' market nutrition program, (3) the nutrition information and awareness program, and (4) the hunger-free communities program. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) provide grants for the provision of biobased product information to organizations that have large procurement needs or vehicle fleets, or that produce products with which biobased products or biofuels can be integrated; (2) provide for agreements with qualifying entities for energy efficiency loan demonstration projects; (3) provide interest-free loans to eligible entities for loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures; and (4) eliminate the feeedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers. Extends: (1) the rural energy for America program, (2) the biomass crop assistance program, and (3) the rural energy savings program.

act amends food conservation energy act direct secretary agriculture usda covered commodities peanuts crop years operator tenant sharecropper farm opportunity annual election receive aggregate risk revenue management payments crop year election replaces average crop revenue election program program repeals direct counter cyclical payment programs covered commodities peanuts beginning crop year suspends permanent price support authority december amends federal_crop_insurance_act authorize commodity_credit_corporation ccc offer supplemental coverage based area yield loss basis cover portion crop loss covered producer individual yield loss basis insurance plan require ccc offer farm insurance plan allows producer qualify indemnity actual gross farm revenue producer average gross farm revenue extend expand adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act repeal sugar loan program eliminates tariffs raw sugar cane beet sugar certain refined sugar establishes december dairy producer margin protection program dairy market stabilization program revises milk marketing order provisions eliminates dairy product permanent milk price support programs milk income loss contract program dairy export incentive program amends food security act extend modify conservation reserve program eliminate pilot program enrollment wetland buffer acreage conservation reserve establish easement benefits program protect land wildlife water address conservation initiative issues establish lieu environmental quality incentives program working land program promote agricultural production forest management environmental quality extends conservation private grazing land program grass roots source water protection program great_lakes basin program soil erosion sediment control chesapeake_bay watershed program voluntary public access habitat incentive program reservation funds cooperative conservation partnership initiative amends healthy forests restoration act eliminate healthy forests reserve program amends food_and_nutrition_act revise supplemental nutrition assistance program snap food stamp program extends indian reservation food distribution program pilot projects evaluate health nutrition promotion healthy urban food enterprise development centers authorization appropriations food_and_nutrition_act programs commodity purchase authority emergency food program infrastructure grants extends commodity distribution program commodity supplemental food program surplus commodities special nutrition projects program extends fresh fruits vegetables schools service institutions program senior farmers market nutrition program nutrition information awareness program hunger free communities program amends farm_security rural investment act provide grants provision biobased product information organizations large procurement needs vehicle fleets produce products biobased products biofuels integrated provide agreements qualifying entities energy efficiency loan demonstration projects provide interest free loans eligible entities loans consumers implement energy efficiency measures eliminate flexibility program bioenergy producers extends rural energy america program biomass crop assistance program rural energy savings program


Summary: Dairy Advancement Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to repeal the dairy product price support program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to permit dairy producers, as an alternative to receiving milk income loss contract program payments, to receive livestock gross margin insurance that protects against the loss of gross margin (milk market value minus feed costs) for the initial election month through September 30, 2012. Provides for a limited subsidy. Directs the Secretary to establish a two-class system (fluid and manufacturing milk classes) for classifying milk under federal milk marketing orders. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize loans and loan guarantees to provide dairy producers with incentives to invest in new equipment and technologies. Amends the Farm Credit Act to authorize banks for cooperatives to provide dairy processing cooperatives with lines of credit and accounts receivable financing to develop export opportunities for milk and milk products. Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to revise dairy product/commodity reporting provisions.

dairy advancement act amends food conservation energy act repeal dairy product price support program directs secretary agriculture usda permit dairy producers alternative receiving milk income loss contract program payments receive livestock gross margin insurance protects loss gross margin milk market value minus feed costs initial election month september provides limited subsidy directs secretary establish class system fluid manufacturing milk classes classifying milk federal milk marketing orders amends consolidated_farm rural development act authorize loans loan guarantees provide dairy producers incentives invest new equipment technologies amends farm_credit_act authorize banks cooperatives provide dairy processing cooperatives lines credit accounts financing develop export opportunities milk milk products amends agricultural_marketing_act revise dairy product commodity reporting provisions


Summary: Dairy Producer Income Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend the milk income loss contract program. Revises payment, feed cost adjustment, and payment quantity (pound) calculations. Eliminates: (1) milk price supports, (2) dairy product price supports, and (3) the dairy export incentive program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct hearings to assess the implications of transitioning federal milk marketing orders from end-product pricing to a competitive pay pricing system.

dairy producer income protection act amends food conservation energy act extend milk income loss contract program revises payment feed cost adjustment payment quantity pound calculations eliminates milk price supports dairy product price supports dairy export incentive program directs secretary agriculture usda conduct hearings assess implications transitioning federal milk marketing orders end product pricing competitive pay pricing system


Summary: Dairy Pricing Reform and Farmer Protection Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct hearings to assess the implications of transitioning federal milk marketing orders from end-product pricing to a competitive pay pricing system. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a dairy producer margin protection program to protect dairy producer income through the provision of basic margin protection payments and, if purchased by a dairy producer, supplemental margin protection payments when actual dairy producer margins are less than the threshold levels for the payments; and (2) conduct the program from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017. Makes all registering U.S. dairy producers eligible for: (1) the program, and (2) a two-tiered basic margin protection program. Authorizes a producer to purchase supplemental margin protection at the time of program registration. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a dairy market stabilization program for all U.S. dairy producers in order to balance the supply of milk with demand when the total percent production growth in milk products in a federal milk marketing order exceeds the combined percent growth in Class I, II, and III milk products; and (2) conduct the program from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017. Eliminates the: (1) dairy product price support program, (2) the dairy forward pricing program, (3) the milk income loss contract program, and (4) the dairy export incentive program.

dairy pricing reform farmer protection act directs secretary agriculture usda conduct hearings assess implications transitioning federal milk marketing orders end product pricing competitive pay pricing system directs secretary establish dairy producer margin protection program protect dairy producer income provision basic margin protection payments purchased dairy producer supplemental margin protection payments actual dairy producer margins threshold levels payments conduct program january december makes registering dairy producers eligible program tiered basic margin protection program authorizes producer purchase supplemental margin protection time program registration directs secretary establish dairy market stabilization program dairy producers order balance supply milk demand total percent production growth milk products federal milk marketing order exceeds combined percent growth class iii milk products conduct program january december eliminates dairy product price support program dairy forward pricing program milk income loss contract program dairy export incentive program