Summary: Capital Gains Easement Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, any gain from the sale or grant of a qualified real property interest to a tax-exempt organization made exclusively for conservation purposes. Defines "qualified real property interest" as any interest in real property which is: (1) the entire interest of the taxpayer, (2) a remainder interest, or (3) a restriction (granted in perpetuity) on the use which may be made of the real property. Exempts such a sale or grant of a qualified real property interest from the application of estate tax property valuation rules.

capital gains easement act amends internal revenue code exclude gross income income tax purposes gain sale grant qualified real property interest tax exempt organization exclusively conservation purposes defines qualified real property interest interest real property entire interest taxpayer remainder interest restriction granted perpetuity use real property exempts sale grant qualified real property interest application estate tax property valuation rules


Summary: Local Food for Healthy Families Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the local food for healthy families program to make grants to specified entities to provide low-income families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) with incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables.

act directs secretary agriculture usda establish local food healthy families program grants specified entities provide low income families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits snap known food stamp program incentives purchase fruits vegetables


Summary: Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the reduced tax rate on the net timber gains of corporations, to: (1) adjust the formula for calculating such rate, and (2) make such reduced rate permanent.

timber revitalization economic enhancement act amends internal revenue code respect reduced tax rate net timber gains corporations adjust formula calculating rate reduced rate permanent


Summary: Farm Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to extend: (1) the term and any due date of a marketing assistance loan, and (2) the due date for repayment of farm ownership, operating, or emergency loans. Requires the extensions in cases where a farmer has sold, transferred, or delivered the commodity subject to the loan to a purchaser who has filed for bankruptcy prior to payment. Provides that the extensions shall last until after the bankruptcy case is closed or dismissed. Suspends the accrual of interest on the loans during the extension period.

farm protection act amends agricultural act require secretary agriculture usda extend term date marketing assistance loan date repayment farm ownership operating emergency loans requires extensions cases farmer sold transferred delivered commodity subject loan purchaser filed bankruptcy prior payment provides extensions shall bankruptcy case closed dismissed suspends accrual interest loans extension period


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the United States Cotton Futures Act to exclude cotton future contracts involving cotton that is grown outside of the United States and tendered for delivery from coverage under the Act, including the requirement that the cotton be classified by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

measure amended introduced summary version repeated amends united_states cotton futures act exclude cotton future contracts involving cotton grown outside united_states delivery coverage act including requirement cotton classified department_of_agriculture usda


Summary:
Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 - Repeals, but continues for crop year 2013: (1) direct payments, (2) countercyclical payments, and (3) the average crop revenue election program (ACRE).

Establishes the agriculture risk coverage program through crop year 2018 for covered crops to make payments to producers for each planted crop when actual farm or county-wide crop revenue is below the agriculture risk coverage guarantee (89% of historical revenue).

Requires producers to choose individual or county coverage.

 Authorizes: (1) nonrecourse marketing assistance loans, (2) loan deficiency payments, (3) payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments for grazed acreage, (4) programs for upland cotton and extra long staple cotton, (5) assistance for peanuts, (6) recourse loans for high moisture feed grains and seed cotton, and (7) programs for sugar and sugar beets.

Establishes a dairy production margin protection program under which participating dairy operations are paid: (1) basic production margin protection program payments when production margins are less than threshold levels, and (2) supplemental production margin protection program payments if purchased by a participating dairy operation.

Provides for a transition period under which the dairy production margin protection program and the milk income loss program shall both be in existence and producers may participate in either program.

Establishes a dairy market stabilization program to assist in balancing the supply of milk with demand when participating dairy operations are experiencing low or negative operating margins.

Terminates the production margin protection and stabilization programs on December 31, 2018.

Repeals: (1) the dairy products price support program, (2) the milk income loss contract program, and (3) the dairy export incentive program.

Extends: (1) the dairy indemnity program, (2) the dairy forward pricing program, and (3) the dairy promotion and research program.

Provides assistance for livestock losses caused by: (1) adverse weather or attacks by federally reintroduced animals, including wolves; and (2) drought or fire.

Provides assistance for orchardists and nursery tree growers for commercial losses caused by natural disasters.

Suspends permanent price supports for covered commodities, cotton, sugar, and milk through 2018.

Revises payment limitation provisions.

Extends the conservation reserve program and the farmable wetland program through FY2018.

Revises the conservation stewardship program.

Extends the environmental quality incentives program through FY2018.

Establishes the agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation of eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in land. (Combines the purposes and coordinates the functions of the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, and the farmland protection program.)

Extends through FY2018: (1) the conservation of private grazing land program, (2) the grass roots source water protection program, (3) the voluntary public access and habitat incentive program, and (4) the small watershed rehabilitation program.

Establishes a terminal lakes assistance program (in lieu of the desert lakes program) for the purchase of eligible land impacted by flooded or terminal lakes and their associated watershed or riparian resources.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the conservation reserve program, (2) the agricultural conservation easement program, (3) the conservation stewardship program, and (4) the environmental quality incentives program.

Repeals: (1) the conservation enhancement program, (2) the emergency forestry conservation reserve program, (3) the wetlands reserve program, (3) the farmland protection program, (4) the grassland reserve program, (5) the agricultural water enhancement program, (6) the wildlife habitat incentive program, (7) the Great Lakes Basin program, (8) the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, (9) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and (10) the environmental easement program.

Extends specified programs under the Food for Peace Act and the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 through FY2018.

Extends through FY2018: (1) the food for progress program, (2) the Bill Emerson humanitarian trust, and (3) the McGovern-Dole international food for education and child nutrition program.

Establishes the Donald Payne Horn of Africa food resilience program.

 Extends the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) through FY2018. Revises provisions regarding participant eligibility, retail stores, and food assistance security.

Extends through FY2018: (1) the food distribution program on Indian reservations, and (2) commodity purchases for emergency food assistance.

Extends through FY2018: (1) the commodity distribution program, (2) the commodity supplemental food program, (3) distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition projects, (4) purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables for schools and service institutions, and (5) the senior farmers' market nutrition program.

Revises the hunger-free communities program.

Establishes the healthy food financing initiative.

Restructures agricultural credit program provisions under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

Extends through FY2018: (1) guarantee authority for rural electrification or telephone bonds and notes, and (2) expansion of 911 access.

Extends the distance learning and telemedicine program through FY2018.

Establishes a rural energy savings plan to provide consumer loans to implement energy efficiency measures.

Extends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board until September 30, 2018.

Establishes a grant program to develop and sustain veterinary services.

Authorizes appropriations for agricultural and food policy research centers.

Extends through FY2018: (1) grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education, (2) education grants to Native Alaska Native Hawaiian serving institutions, (3) the nutrition education program, (4) animal health and disease research programs, (5) grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges, (6) grants for Hispanic-serving institutions, (7) grants for international agricultural science and education, and (8) assistance for extension, aquaculture, rangeland, and biosecurity programs.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) sustainable agriculture technology, (2) the genetics resource program, (3) the agricultural weather information system, (3) high priority and organic agriculture research, (4) farm business management, and (5) assistive technology for farmers with disabilities.

Establishes a comprehensive food safety training network.

Authorizes the prioritization of regional centers of excellence for specialized agricultural commodities.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) wheat disease research, (2) youth organizations, (3) specialty crop research, and (4) the Office of Pest Management Policy.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for activities under the Critical Agricultural Materials Act.

Revises "1994 Institutions" (Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994) provisions.

Establishes four regional integrated pest management centers.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the Agricultural Biosecurity Communication Center and agricultural biosecurity grants and local capacity development, (2) activities under the National Aquaculture Act of 1990, (3) activities under the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978, and (4) the beginning farmer and rancher development program.

Extends the grazing lands research laboratory through September 30, 2018.

Revises budget submission and funding provisions under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the natural products research program, and (2) the sun grant program.

Establishes the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

Repeals: (1) the forest land enhancement program, (2) the watershed forestry assistance program, (3) the Hispanic-serving institution agricultural land leadership program, and (4) the tribal watershed forestry assistance program.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the forest stewardship program, (2) the forest legacy program, (3) the community forest and open space conservation program, (4) urban and community forestry assistance, (5) rural revitalization technologies, (6) the Office of International Forestry, (7) insect infestation treatment areas, and (8) the healthy forests reserve program.

Authorizes stewardship contracting projects with private persons or other public or private entities to perform land management services for national forests and public lands.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the biobased marketing program, (2) the bioenergy program for advanced biofuels, (3) the biodiesel fuel education program, (4) the rural energy for America program, (5) biomass research and development, (6) the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers, (7) the biomass crop assistance program, and (8) the community wood energy program.

Repeals: (1) the forest biomass for energy program, and (2) the program encouraging biorefineries to replace fossil fuel operating systems with renewable biomass systems.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the specialty crop market news program, (2) the farmers market and local food promotion program, (3) organic production and market initiatives, (4) national organic program upgrades, (5) food safety initiatives, and (6) specialty crop block grants.

Repeals the specialty crop movement-to-market program.

Establishes the national clean plant network for pathogen elimination services.

Amends federal crop insurance provisions regarding: (1) a supplemental crop insurance coverage option; (2) catastrophic risk protection premiums; (3) enterprise units for irrigated and nonirrigated crops; (4) stacked income protection for upland cotton producers; (5) revenue crop insurance for peanuts; (6) administrative provisions; (7) research and development; (8) whole farm risk management insurance; (9) swine, poultry, and organic crop protection; (10) margin coverage for catfish; (11) a weather insurance pilot program; (12) beginning farmers and ranchers; (13) crop protection on native sod; and (15) income-based premium subsidy limits.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers.

Establishes: (1) the wildlife reservoir zoonotic disease initiative, and (2) a program to improve the U.S. sheep industry.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the national aquatic animal health plan, and (2) the trichinae certification program.

Authorizes a feral swine eradication pilot program.

Establishes the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for grants to improve agricultural labor force supply, stability, safety, and training.

Prohibits an individual from attending, or causing a minor to attend, an animal fight.

agriculture reform food jobs_act repeals continues crop year direct payments countercyclical payments average crop revenue election program acre establishes agriculture risk coverage program crop year covered crops payments producers planted crop actual farm county wide crop revenue agriculture risk coverage guarantee historical revenue requires producers choose individual county coverage authorizes nonrecourse marketing assistance loans loan deficiency payments payments lieu loan deficiency payments grazed acreage programs upland cotton extra long staple cotton assistance peanuts recourse loans high moisture feed grains seed cotton programs sugar sugar beets establishes dairy production margin protection program participating dairy operations paid basic production margin protection program payments production margins threshold levels supplemental production margin protection program payments purchased participating dairy operation provides transition period dairy production margin protection program milk income loss program shall existence producers participate program establishes dairy market stabilization program assist balancing supply milk demand participating dairy operations experiencing low negative operating margins terminates production margin protection stabilization programs december repeals dairy products price support program milk income loss contract program dairy export incentive program extends dairy indemnity program dairy forward pricing program dairy promotion research program provides assistance livestock losses caused adverse weather attacks federally reintroduced animals including wolves drought fire provides assistance orchardists nursery tree growers commercial losses caused natural disasters suspends permanent price supports covered commodities cotton sugar milk revises payment limitation provisions extends conservation reserve program wetland program fy2018 revises conservation stewardship program extends environmental quality incentives program fy2018 establishes agricultural conservation easement program conservation eligible land natural resources easements interests land combines purposes coordinates functions wetlands reserve program grassland reserve program farmland protection program extends fy2018 conservation private grazing land program grass roots source water protection program voluntary public access habitat incentive program small watershed rehabilitation program establishes terminal lakes assistance program lieu desert lakes program purchase eligible land impacted flooded terminal lakes associated watershed riparian resources authorizes appropriations fy2018 conservation reserve program agricultural conservation easement program conservation stewardship program environmental quality incentives program repeals conservation enhancement program emergency forestry conservation reserve program wetlands reserve program farmland protection program grassland reserve program agricultural water enhancement program wildlife habitat incentive program great_lakes_basin program chesapeake_bay watershed program cooperative conservation partnership initiative environmental easement program extends specified programs food_for_peace_act fy2018 extends fy2018 food progress program bill emerson humanitarian trust mcgovern dole international food education child nutrition program establishes africa food resilience program extends supplemental nutrition assistance program snap food stamps fy2018 revises provisions participant eligibility retail stores food assistance security extends fy2018 food distribution program indian reservations commodity purchases emergency food assistance extends fy2018 commodity distribution program commodity supplemental food program distribution surplus commodities special nutrition projects purchases fresh fruit vegetables schools service institutions senior farmers market nutrition program revises hunger free communities program establishes healthy food financing initiative agricultural credit program provisions consolidated_farm rural development act extends fy2018 guarantee authority rural electrification telephone bonds notes expansion access extends distance learning telemedicine program fy2018 establishes rural energy savings plan provide consumer loans implement energy efficiency measures extends economics_advisory_board september establishes grant program develop sustain veterinary services authorizes appropriations agricultural food policy research centers extends fy2018 grants fellowships food agricultural sciences education education grants native alaska native hawaiian serving institutions nutrition education program animal health disease research programs grants upgrade agricultural food sciences facilities land grant colleges grants hispanic serving institutions grants international agricultural science education assistance extension aquaculture rangeland biosecurity programs authorizes appropriations fy2018 sustainable agriculture technology resource program agricultural weather information system high priority organic agriculture research farm business management assistive technology farmers disabilities establishes comprehensive food safety training network authorizes prioritization regional centers excellence specialized agricultural commodities authorizes appropriations fy2018 wheat disease research youth organizations specialty crop research authorizes appropriations fy2018 activities revises institutions equity educational land grant status act provisions establishes regional integrated pest management centers authorizes appropriations fy2018 agricultural biosecurity grants local capacity development activities national aquaculture act activities renewable_resources_extension_act beginning farmer rancher development program extends grazing lands research laboratory september revises budget submission funding provisions energy act authorizes appropriations fy2018 natural products research program sun grant program repeals forest land enhancement program watershed forestry assistance program hispanic serving institution agricultural land leadership program tribal watershed forestry assistance program authorizes appropriations fy2018 forest stewardship program forest legacy program community forest open space conservation program urban community forestry assistance rural revitalization technologies insect infestation treatment areas healthy forests reserve program authorizes stewardship contracting projects private persons public private entities perform land management services national forests public lands authorizes appropriations fy2018 biobased marketing program bioenergy program advanced biofuels biodiesel fuel education program rural energy america program biomass research development feedstock flexibility program bioenergy producers biomass crop assistance program community wood energy program repeals forest biomass energy program program encouraging biorefineries replace fossil fuel operating systems renewable biomass systems authorizes appropriations fy2018 specialty crop market news program farmers market local food promotion program organic production market initiatives national organic program upgrades food safety initiatives specialty crop block grants repeals specialty crop movement market program establishes national clean plant network pathogen elimination services amends federal crop insurance provisions supplemental crop insurance coverage option catastrophic risk protection premiums enterprise units irrigated crops income protection upland cotton producers revenue crop insurance peanuts administrative provisions research development farm risk management insurance swine poultry organic crop protection margin coverage catfish weather insurance pilot program beginning farmers ranchers crop protection native sod income based premium subsidy limits authorizes appropriations fy2018 outreach assistance socially disadvantaged veteran farmers ranchers establishes wildlife reservoir zoonotic disease initiative program improve sheep industry authorizes appropriations fy2018 national aquatic animal health plan certification program authorizes feral swine eradication pilot program establishes position military veterans agricultural liaison authorizes appropriations fy2018 grants improve agricultural labor force supply stability safety training prohibits individual attending causing minor attend animal fight


Summary:
Makes livestock indemnity payments (at 65% of an animal's market value) through FY2013 to eligible producers on farms that have incurred excess livestock death losses due to: (1) attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves; or (2) adverse weather, including hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme cold.

Establishes a livestock forage disaster program to provide one source for livestock forage disaster assistance for weather-related forage losses by combining: (1) the livestock forage assistance functions of the non insured crop disaster assistance program and the emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish program; and (2) the livestock forage disaster program.

Provides assistance through FY2013 for forage losses: (1) due to drought on land that is native or improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover or is planted to a crop planted specifically for the purpose of providing grazing for covered livestock; (2) on federally-managed rangeland due to a fire; and (3) due to weather-related conditions other than drought or fire on land that is native or improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover, or is planted to a crop planted specifically for the purpose of providing grazing for covered livestock.

Provides funds through FY2013 for: (1) emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires; and (2) assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that planted trees for commercial purposes but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster, and to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that have a production history for commercial purposes on planted or existing trees but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster (requires tree mortality to exceed 15%).

Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide coverages based on individual yields (other than for value-loss crops) under the non insured crop disaster assistance program equivalent to: (1) catastrophic risk protection, or (2) specified additional coverage.

Makes additional program coverage available at 50% to 65% of established yield and 100% of average market price. Reduces the premium for additional coverage by 50% for limited resource, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers.

Makes assistance available as soon as practicable to producers with 2012 losses of certain fruit crops in counties declared a disaster due to freeze or frost.

makes livestock indemnity payments animal market value fy2013 eligible producers farms incurred excess livestock death losses attacks animals reintroduced wild federal government protected federal law including wolves adverse weather including hurricanes floods blizzards disease wildfires extreme heat extreme cold establishes livestock forage disaster program provide source livestock forage disaster assistance weather related forage losses combining livestock forage assistance functions non insured crop disaster assistance program emergency assistance livestock honey bees farm raised fish program livestock forage disaster program provides assistance fy2013 forage losses drought land native improved pasture land permanent vegetative cover planted crop planted specifically purpose providing grazing covered livestock federally managed rangeland fire weather related conditions drought fire land native improved pasture land permanent vegetative cover planted crop planted specifically purpose providing grazing covered livestock provides funds fy2013 emergency assistance eligible producers livestock honey bees farm raised fish aid reduction losses disease adverse weather conditions blizzards wildfires assistance eligible orchardists nursery tree growers planted trees commercial purposes lost trees result natural disaster eligible orchardists nursery tree growers production history commercial purposes planted existing trees lost trees result natural disaster requires tree mortality exceed amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act provide coverages based individual yields value loss crops non insured crop disaster assistance program equivalent catastrophic risk protection specified additional coverage makes additional program coverage available established yield average market price reduces premium additional coverage limited resource beginning socially disadvantaged farmers makes assistance available soon practicable producers losses certain fruit crops counties declared disaster freeze


Summary: Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to end agricultural direct payments beginning with the 2013 crop year.

amends energy act end agricultural direct payments beginning crop year


Summary:
Sugar Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to make loans available to processors of domestically grown sugarcane (18 cents per pound) and sugar beet processors through FY2017.

Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make specified sugarcane and sugar beet quantity estimates through crop year 2017.

Requires that sugar allotments be appropriate to maintain adequate supplies at reasonable prices, taking into account all domestic supply sources, including imports.

Authorizes the Secretary to suspend or modify marketing allotments, taking into account: (1) the interests of consumers, food industry workers, businesses, and agricultural producers; and (2) the competitiveness of domestically produced and imported foods containing sugar.

Revises sugar tariff-rate quota adjustment provisions to direct the Secretary to: (1) adjust tariff-rates to provide adequate domestic sugar supplies at reasonable prices, (2) establish and adjust tariff-rate quotas so that the ratio of sugar stocks to total sugar use at the end of the quota year will be approximately 15.5%, and (3) promulgate regulations that permit any country that has been allocated a quota share to temporarily transfer all or part of the share to any other country that has also been allocated a quota share.

Extends flexible marketing sugar allotment authority through crop year 2017.

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers.

sugar reform act amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act loans available processors domestically grown sugarcane cents pound sugar beet processors fy2017 amends agricultural adjustment act direct secretary agriculture usda specified sugarcane sugar beet quantity estimates crop year requires sugar allotments appropriate maintain adequate supplies reasonable prices taking account domestic supply sources including imports authorizes secretary suspend modify marketing allotments taking account interests consumers food industry workers businesses agricultural producers competitiveness domestically produced imported foods containing sugar revises sugar tariff rate quota adjustment provisions direct secretary adjust tariff rates provide adequate domestic sugar supplies reasonable prices establish adjust tariff rate quotas ratio sugar stocks total sugar use end quota year approximately promulgate regulations permit country allocated quota share temporarily transfer share country allocated quota share extends flexible marketing sugar allotment authority crop year amends farm security rural investment act repeal feedstock flexibility program bioenergy producers


Summary: Crop Insurance Subsidy Reduction Act of 2013 - 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:
Forest Products Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include in the definition of "biobased product" forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding the market share the product holds, the product's age, or whether the market for the product is new or emerging.

Defines "forest product" as a product made from materials derived from the practice of forestry or the management of growing timber, including: (1) pulp, paper, paperboard, pellets, and wood products; and (2) any recycled products derived from forest materials.

forest products fairness act amends farm security rural investment act include definition biobased product forest products meet biobased content requirements notwithstanding market share product holds product age market product new emerging defines forest product product materials derived practice forestry management growing timber including pulp paper pellets wood products recycled products derived forest materials


Summary: Dairy Augmentation for Increased Retail in Yogurt products (DAIRY) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt dairy farm savings accounts to allow taxpayers engaged in the trade or business of dairy farming to use distributions from such accounts to pay business expenses; (2) allow a deduction from gross income for cash contributions to such accounts; and (3) set forth tax rules relating to, and penalties for, account distributions, excess contributions, and prohibited transactions.

dairy augmentation increased retail products dairy act amends internal revenue code establish tax exempt dairy farm savings accounts allow taxpayers engaged trade business dairy farming use distributions accounts pay business expenses allow deduction gross income cash contributions accounts set forth tax rules relating penalties account distributions excess contributions prohibited transactions


Summary:
Dairy Income Fairness Act of 2013 - Establishes a dairy production margin protection program under which participating dairy operations are paid: (1) basic production margin protection program payments when production margins are less than threshold levels, and (2) supplemental production margin protection program payments if purchased by a participating dairy operation.

Provides for a transition period under which the dairy production margin protection program and the milk income loss program shall both be in existence and producers may participate in either program.

Establishes a dairy market stabilization program to assist in balancing the supply of milk with demand when participating dairy operations are experiencing low or negative operating margins.

Terminates the production margin protection and stabilization programs on December 31, 2017.

Repeals: (1) the dairy products price support program, (2) the milk income loss contract program, and (3) the dairy export incentive program.

Extends: (1) the dairy indemnity program, (2) the dairy forward pricing program, and (3) the dairy promotion and research program.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to use a pre-hearing public information session to determine whether to conduct a formal hearing to consider alternative formulas for Class III milk product pricing.

Directs the Secretary to conduct hearings to: (1) analyze the implications of transitioning from a four-class system for milk products to a two-class system, (2) explore methods to improve signals for price discovery to allow dairy producers to better use risk management tools, and (3) assess whether a two-class competitive pay pricing system for milk products would be more or less transparent than the existing system.

dairy income fairness act establishes dairy production margin protection program participating dairy operations paid basic production margin protection program payments production margins threshold levels supplemental production margin protection program payments purchased participating dairy operation provides transition period dairy production margin protection program milk income loss program shall existence producers participate program establishes dairy market stabilization program assist balancing supply milk demand participating dairy operations experiencing low negative operating margins terminates production margin protection stabilization programs december repeals dairy products price support program milk income loss contract program dairy export incentive program extends dairy indemnity program dairy forward pricing program dairy promotion research program directs secretary agriculture usda use pre hearing public information session determine conduct formal hearing consider alternative formulas class iii milk product pricing directs secretary conduct hearings analyze implications transitioning class system milk products class system explore methods improve signals price discovery allow dairy producers better use risk management tools assess class competitive pay pricing system milk products transparent existing system


Summary:
California Milk Marketing Order Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), upon the petition and approval of California dairy producers, to designate California as a separate federal milk marketing order.

Provides that if so designated, the order covering California shall have the right to reblend and distribute order receipts to recognize quota value.

secretary agriculture usda petition approval california dairy producers designate california separate federal milk marketing order provides designated order covering california shall right distribute order receipts recognize quota value


Summary:
Dairy Pricing Reform Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to use a pre-hearing public information session to determine whether to conduct a formal hearing to consider alternative formulas for Class III milk product pricing.

Directs the Secretary to conduct hearings to: (1) analyze the implications of transitioning from a four-class system for milk products to a two-class system, (2) explore methods to improve signals for price discovery to allow dairy producers to better use risk management tools, and (3) assess whether a two-class competitive pay pricing system for milk products would be more or less transparent than the existing system.

dairy pricing reform act directs secretary agriculture usda use pre hearing public information session determine conduct formal hearing consider alternative formulas class iii milk product pricing directs secretary conduct hearings analyze implications transitioning class system milk products class system explore methods improve signals price discovery allow dairy producers better use risk management tools assess class competitive pay pricing system milk products transparent existing system


Summary:
Crop Insurance Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to make available to crop producers a supplemental coverage option (based on area yield and loss) to cover part of a crop insurance policy deductible.

Triggers such option only if area losses exceed 10% of normal levels.

Provides for: (1) 70% premium coverage by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), and (2) coverage to begin no later than crop year 2014.

Authorizes FCIC to pay a portion of the premiums for plans or policies of insurance for which the insurable unit is defined on a whole farm or enterprise unit basis that is higher than would otherwise be paid.

 Makes separate enterprise units available for irrigated and nonirrigated acreages of crops beginning with crop year 2014.

 Directs FCIC, in developing yield guarantees, to use: (1) county data collected by the Risk Management Agency and/or the National Agricultural Statistics Service, or (2) if sufficient county data is not available data considered appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA).

 Revises the adjustment in actual production history used to establish insurable yields beginning with crop year 2014.

Requires FCIC to review any policy or pilot program to carry out research and development for new crop insurance policies and submit such policy or program to the Board of Directors if the policy or program will likely result in a marketable policy and improved coverage.

Revises Board review and approval provisions regarding insurance plan proposals by private sector entities.

Requires, with respect to a renegotiated Standard Reinsurance Agreement; that: (1) any savings must be used for programs administered by the Risk Management Agency; and (2) that such new Agreement be, to the extend practicable, budget neutral.

Requires FCIC, beginning not later than the 2014 upland cotton crop, to make available to producers of maximum eligible acres of upland cotton an additional policy (the Stacked Income Protection Plan) to provide coverage consistent with the Group Risk Income Protection Plan (and the associated Harvest Revenue Option Endorsement) offered by FCIC for the 2012 crop year.

Requires the Plan to: (1) provide revenue loss coverage of not more than 30% of expected county revenue; (2) have a deductible which is the minimum percent of revenue loss at which indemnities are triggered under the plan, not to be less than 10% of the expected county revenue; (3) be offered to producers in all counties with upland cotton production at a county-wide level, or on a larger geographical basis in counties that lack sufficient data; (4) be available as a stand-alone policy or in addition to any other individual or area policy; (5) establish separate coverage for irrigated and nonirrigated practices; and (6) provide an 80% premium subsidy.

Prohibits upland cotton acreage insured under the supplemental coverage option from Plan eligibility.

Requires FCIC to establish procedures that allow an agent and approved insurance provider to correct producer name and eligibility information.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain and upgrade FCIC information management systems used in the administration and enforcement of this title, (2) implement an acreage reporting streamlining initiative to permit producers to report acreage and other information directly to USDA, and (3) notify Congress not later than July 1, 2014, regarding the status of such initiative.

Requires FCIC to contract for research and development of insuring biomass and sweet sorghum grown to produce feedstocks for renewable biofuel, renewable electricity, or biobased products.

Eliminates the requirement that FCIC evaluate pilot programs.

Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to repeal, but continue for crop year 2013, direct payments for covered commodities (except pulse crops) and peanuts.

Authorizes FCIC to conduct crop insurance policy research and development.

Establishes as one of FCIC's highest research priorities policies that increase participation by producers of under-served agricultural commodities, including sweet sorghum, sorghum for biomass, specialty crops, sugarcane, and dedicated energy crops. (Eliminates from such designation the development of a pasture, range, and forage program.)

Eliminates the requirement that FCIC evaluate pilot programs and submit a report to Congress.

crop insurance improvement act amends federal_crop_insurance_act available crop producers supplemental coverage option based area yield loss cover crop insurance policy deductible triggers option area losses exceed normal levels provides premium coverage federal_crop_insurance_corporation fcic coverage begin later crop year authorizes fcic pay portion premiums plans policies insurance insurable unit defined farm enterprise unit basis higher paid makes separate enterprise units available irrigated crops beginning crop year directs fcic developing yield guarantees use county data collected risk_management_agency sufficient county data available data considered appropriate secretary agriculture usda revises adjustment actual production history establish insurable yields beginning crop year requires fcic review policy pilot program carry research development new crop insurance policies submit policy program board_of_directors policy program likely result marketable policy improved coverage review approval provisions insurance plan proposals private sector entities requires respect renegotiated standard_reinsurance_agreement savings programs administered risk_management_agency new agreement extend practicable budget neutral requires fcic beginning later upland cotton crop available producers maximum eligible acres upland cotton additional policy provide coverage consistent associated offered fcic crop year requires plan provide revenue loss coverage expected county revenue deductible minimum percent revenue loss indemnities triggered plan expected county revenue offered producers counties upland cotton production county wide level larger geographical basis counties lack sufficient data available stand policy addition individual area policy establish separate coverage irrigated practices provide premium subsidy prohibits upland cotton acreage insured supplemental coverage option plan eligibility requires fcic establish procedures allow agent approved insurance provider correct producer eligibility information directs secretary maintain upgrade fcic information management systems administration enforcement title implement acreage reporting streamlining initiative permit producers report acreage information directly usda notify congress later july status initiative requires fcic contract research development insuring biomass sweet sorghum grown produce feedstocks renewable biofuel renewable electricity biobased products eliminates requirement fcic evaluate pilot programs amends energy act repeal continue crop year direct payments covered commodities pulse crops peanuts authorizes fcic conduct crop insurance policy research development establishes fcic highest research priorities policies increase participation producers served agricultural commodities including sweet sorghum sorghum biomass specialty crops sugarcane dedicated energy crops eliminates designation development pasture range forage program eliminates requirement fcic evaluate pilot programs submit report congress


Summary:
Growing Opportunities for Agriculture and Responding to Markets Act of 2013 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a local farm business and market garden loan program to make available to eligible lending entities loans to develop revolving loan funds to assist: (1) producers in establishing local farm business projects or market garden projects that will produce fresh foods locally, and (2) local farm business projects and market garden projects to create local employment opportunities.

Sets forth program provisions.

agriculture responding markets act amends energy act direct secretary agriculture usda establish local farm business market garden loan program available eligible lending entities loans develop revolving loan funds assist producers establishing local farm business projects market garden projects produce fresh foods locally local farm business projects market garden projects create local employment opportunities sets forth program provisions


Summary:
Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 - Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding the supplemental food assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to include as a retail store an agricultural producer marketing agricultural products directly to consumers.

Requires participating retailers to pay 100% of the costs of acquiring, and arranging for the implementation of, electronic benefit transfer (EBT) point-of-sale equipment and supplies. Allows exemptions, including for farmers' markets, direct farmer-to-consumer marketing outlets, military commissaries, nonprofit food buying cooperatives, and group living arrangements. Ends manual vouchers, except as necessary.

Establishes a pilot program to test mobile technologies for SNAP transactions.

Permits using benefits to purchase a community-supported agriculture share.

Provides for a five-state grant pilot program to purchase locally grown 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.

 Permits each school food authority with a low annual commodity entitlement value to elect to substitute locally and regionally grown and raised food for the authority's allotment of commodity assistance for the school lunch program, subject to specified conditions.

Increases funding for community food projects and the seniors farmers' market nutrition program.

Revises the hunger-free community provisions, including by prohibiting state or local sales taxes and providing specified mandatory funding through FY2018.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish a Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program to increase knowledge of agriculture and improve the nutritional health of children. Establishes a special initiative within the Research, Education, and Extension Office to coordinate Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant and animal breeding research.

Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide for guaranteed loans to eligible producers for the production of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products. Gives loan priority to projects that will increase access to locally or regionally grown food in underserved communities, create new market opportunities for local or regional agricultural producers, or support regional economic and community development.

Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to include assistance for the production of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products.

Amends the the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to expand the scope of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to reference locally and regionally produced agricultural products and give priority to projects that benefit underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018.

Amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to specify making grants for locally or regional produced agricutural products. Provides for grants through FY2018.

Provides for a study on local food production and program evaluation.

Requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to: (1) conduct activities or enter into contracts to carry out research and development for a whole farm risk management insurance plan, and (2) offer organic crop producers price elections for all organic crops that reflect actual retail and wholesale prices.

Provides, with regard to the agricultural management assistance program, for: (1) nationwide program expansion, (2) organic certification cost assistance, and (3) funding through FY2018.

local farms food jobs_act amends food nutrition act supplemental food assistance program snap known food stamp program include retail store agricultural producer marketing agricultural products directly consumers requires participating retailers pay costs acquiring arranging implementation electronic benefit transfer ebt point sale equipment supplies allows exemptions including farmers markets direct farmer consumer marketing outlets military nonprofit food buying cooperatives group living arrangements ends manual vouchers necessary establishes pilot program test mobile technologies snap transactions permits benefits purchase community supported agriculture share provides state grant pilot program purchase locally grown fresh fruits vegetables distribution schools service institutions participating food service programs national school lunch act child nutrition act permits school food authority low annual commodity entitlement value elect substitute locally regionally grown raised food authority allotment commodity assistance school lunch program subject specified conditions increases funding community food projects seniors farmers market nutrition program revises hunger free community provisions including prohibiting state local sales taxes providing specified mandatory funding fy2018 amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act establish increase knowledge agriculture improve nutritional health children establishes special initiative coordinate department_of_agriculture usda plant animal breeding research amends consolidated_farm rural development act provide guaranteed loans eligible producers production locally regionally produced agricultural food products gives loan priority projects increase access locally regionally grown food underserved communities create new market opportunities local regional agricultural producers support regional economic community development amends farm_credit_act include assistance production locally regionally produced agricultural food products amends competitive special facilities research grant act expand scope agriculture_and_food_research_initiative amends farmer consumer direct marketing act reference locally regionally produced agricultural products priority projects benefit underserved communities authorizes appropriations fy2018 amends specialty crops competitiveness act specify making grants locally regional produced products provides grants fy2018 provides study local food production program evaluation requires federal_crop_insurance_corporation conduct activities enter contracts carry research development farm risk management insurance plan offer organic crop producers price elections organic crops reflect actual retail wholesale prices provides regard agricultural management assistance program nationwide program expansion organic certification cost assistance funding fy2018


Summary:
Farming Flexibility Act of 2013 - 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 2014 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.

farming flexibility act amends 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


Summary:
Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Act - Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act regarding the value-added agricultural product market development grants program to: (1) include farmers and ranchers who are veterans among priority recipients, and (2) authorize program appropriations through FY2017.

Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 regarding the outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers program to: (1) include farmers and ranchers who are veterans, and (2) extend mandatory funding and authorization of appropriations through FY2017.

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding the beginning farmer and rancher development program to: (1) provide set-asides for beginning farmers and ranchers who are veterans, and (2) extend mandatory funding and authorization of appropriations through FY2017.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to: (1) provide returning veterans with information about beginning farmer training and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; (2) provide veterans with information concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, agricultural programs; and (3) advocate on behalf of veterans with USDA.

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 regarding the conservation reserve transition incentive program to: (1) include farmers and ranchers who are veterans, and (2) authorize appropriations through FY2017.

Makes farmers and ranchers who are veterans eligible for increased payments under the environmental quality incentives program.

 Gives priority to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who are veterans for assistance set-asides under the environmental quality incentives program and the conservation stewardship program.

veterans act amends act value added agricultural product market development grants program include farmers ranchers veterans priority recipients authorize program appropriations fy2017 amends trade act outreach assistance socially disadvantaged farmers ranchers program include farmers ranchers veterans extend mandatory funding authorization appropriations fy2017 amends farm security rural investment act beginning farmer rancher development program provide set asides beginning farmers ranchers veterans extend mandatory funding authorization appropriations fy2017 amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act direct secretary agriculture usda establish position military veterans agricultural liaison provide returning veterans information beginning farmer training agricultural vocational rehabilitation programs provide veterans information concerning availability eligibility requirements agricultural programs advocate behalf veterans usda amends food security act conservation reserve transition incentive program include farmers ranchers veterans authorize appropriations fy2017 makes farmers ranchers veterans eligible increased payments environmental quality incentives program gives priority beginning socially disadvantaged farmers ranchers veterans assistance set asides environmental quality incentives program conservation stewardship program


Summary: Prairie Protection Act of 2013 - 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.

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


Summary: Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2013 - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to: (1) provide for the increased purchase of Kosher and Halal food if such food is cost neutral as compared to food that is not from food manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal certification, and (2) 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 food cost neutral compared food food manufacturers kosher halal certification modify labeling commodities list emergency food assistance program enable kosher halal food bank operators identify commodities obtain local food banks


Summary: Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a Healthy Food Financing Initiative to provide assistance in order to: (1) improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas; (2) create and preserve quality jobs; and (3) revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to eligible food retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved, urban, suburban, and rural areas.

establish department_of_agriculture usda healthy food financing initiative provide assistance order improve access healthy foods underserved areas create preserve quality jobs revitalize low income communities providing loans grants eligible food retailers overcome higher costs initial barriers entry underserved urban suburban rural areas


Summary:
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend: (1) the conservation reserve and related programs, and (2) assistance to disadvantaged or beginning farmers or ranchers for access to the environmental quality incentives and the conservation stewardship programs.

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) extend conservation loan and loan guarantee authority, and reserve specified amounts for beginning farmers and ranchers; (3) extend the beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program; (4) authorize micro loans for beginning farmers or ranchers; and (5) make the direct operating loan set-aside for beginning farmers and ranchers permanent.

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 provide 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 establish in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

beginning_farmer rancher opportunity act amends food security act extend conservation reserve related programs assistance disadvantaged beginning farmers ranchers access environmental quality incentives conservation stewardship programs 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 extend conservation loan loan guarantee authority reserve specified amounts beginning farmers ranchers extend beginning farmer rancher individual development accounts pilot program authorize micro loans beginning farmers ranchers direct operating loan set aside beginning farmers ranchers permanent 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 provide risk management programs targeted beginning socially disadvantaged transitioning legal immigrant farmers ranchers amends department_of_agriculture_reorganization_act establish department_of_agriculture usda position military veterans agricultural liaison


Summary:
Rural Energy Investment Act of 2013 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding the biobased markets program to: (1) extend program funding through FY2018, (2) increase the number of categories of biobased products designated and individual biobased products eligible for preferred purchasing, and (3) provide for a program of biobased product education and promotion activities.

Amends the Rural Energy for America Program to: (1) extend Program funding through FY2018; (2) make nonprofit organizations eligible for assistance; (3) provide loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy system purchases, with a tiered loan and grant application process that reflects project cost; and (4) permit the combined amount of a grant and a loan guarantee to cover all eligible activity costs.

Extends funding through FY2018 for: (1) biorefinery assistance, (2) the biodiesel fuel education program, (3) biomass research and development, (4) the Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative, (5) the biomass crop assistance program, (6) the forest biomass for energy program, (7) the community wood energy program, and (8) the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers.

amends farm security rural investment act biobased markets program extend program funding fy2018 increase number categories biobased products designated individual biobased products eligible preferred purchasing provide program biobased product education promotion activities amends extend program funding fy2018 nonprofit organizations eligible assistance provide loan guarantees grants agricultural producers rural small businesses renewable energy system purchases tiered loan grant application process reflects project cost permit combined grant loan guarantee cover eligible activity costs extends funding fy2018 biorefinery assistance biodiesel fuel education program biomass research development biomass crop assistance program forest biomass energy program community wood energy program feedstock flexibility program bioenergy producers


Summary: Suspends specified agricultural price support authorities under: (1) the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 with regard to covered commodities, peanuts, sugar, and milk; (2) the Agricultural Act of 1949 with regard to covered commodities, peanuts, sugar, and milk; and (3) a certain quota resolution with regard to wheat.

suspends specified agricultural price support authorities agricultural adjustment act regard covered commodities peanuts sugar milk agricultural act regard covered commodities peanuts sugar milk certain quota resolution regard wheat


Summary:
Traditional Foods Nourishment Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allow the donation to and serving of traditional food through a food service program at a public or nonprofit facility that primarily services Indians if the food service program operator takes specified measures to ensure the safe preparation, processing, and labeling of such food.

Includes wild game meat, fish, seafood, marine mammals, plants, and berries as traditional food.

States that the United States and an Indian tribe or tribal organization shall not be liable in any civil action for any damage, injury, or death caused to any person by the donation to or serving of traditional foods through a food service program.

directs secretary agriculture allow donation serving traditional food food service program public nonprofit facility primarily services indians food service program operator takes specified measures ensure safe preparation processing labeling food includes wild game meat fish seafood marine mammals plants traditional food states united_states indian tribe tribal organization shall liable civil action damage injury death caused person donation serving traditional foods food service program


Summary: Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to limit the total amount of premium subsidy paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to a person or legal entity to $70,000 per crop year.

amends federal_crop_insurance_act limit total premium subsidy paid federal_crop_insurance_corporation person legal entity crop year


Summary: Amends the United States Cotton Futures Act to exclude cotton future contracts involving cotton that is grown outside of the United States and tendered for delivery from coverage under the Act, including the requirement that the cotton be classified by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

amends united_states cotton futures act exclude cotton future contracts involving cotton grown outside united_states delivery coverage act including requirement cotton classified department_of_agriculture usda


Summary:
Harvest Price Subsidy Reduction Act

This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to prohibit the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation from paying a premium subsidy for a crop insurance policy that is based on the actual market price of an agricultural commodity at the time of harvest.

harvest price bill amends federal_crop_insurance_act prohibit federal_crop_insurance_corporation paying premium subsidy crop insurance policy based actual market price agricultural commodity time harvest


Summary:
Farmer Flexibility Act

This bill extends the final planting date established by the Risk Management Agency for certain federal crop insurance policies covering grain sorghum. To account for extreme weather conditions, the final planting date for policies with an existing date of April 5, 2015, is extended to April 26, 2015.

bill extends final planting date established risk_management_agency certain federal crop insurance policies covering grain sorghum account extreme weather conditions final planting date policies existing date april extended april


Summary:
Sugar Reform Act of 2015

This bill revises the Department of Agriculture (USDA) sugar program to decrease price support levels and make other modifications.

The bill amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to decrease the rate for price support loans to processors of domestically grown sugarcane and sugar beets. The loan rate is the price level at which processors can take out loans.

The bill amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to require USDA to set the marketing allotments at a level appropriate to maintain adequate domestic supplies at reasonable prices. The allotments limit the amount of sugar that each processor may sell. The allotments may be suspended or modified based on: (1) the interests of consumers, workers, businesses, and agricultural producers; and (2) the relative competitiveness of domestically produced and imported foods containing sugar.

In setting import quotas necessary to comply with trade agreements, USDA must:

 set the quotas at no less than the minimum level necessary for compliance, adjust the quotas to provide adequate domestic supplies at reasonable prices, establish and adjust quotas so that the ratio of sugar stocks to total sugar use at the end of the year will be approximately 15.5% or the target necessary to prevent unreasonably high prices or forfeitures, and permit the temporary transfer of quotas between countries. The bill amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy Producers, which requires USDA to purchase sugar from domestic processors and sell it to bioenergy producers for biofuel production.

sugar reform act bill revises department_of_agriculture usda sugar program decrease price support levels modifications bill amends federal_agriculture_improvement reform act decrease rate price support loans processors domestically grown sugarcane sugar beets loan rate price level processors loans bill amends agricultural adjustment act require usda set marketing allotments level appropriate maintain adequate domestic supplies reasonable prices allotments limit sugar processor sell allotments suspended modified based interests consumers workers businesses agricultural producers relative competitiveness domestically produced imported foods containing sugar setting import quotas necessary comply trade agreements usda set quotas minimum level necessary compliance adjust quotas provide adequate domestic supplies reasonable prices establish adjust quotas ratio sugar stocks total sugar use end year approximately target necessary prevent unreasonably high prices forfeitures permit temporary transfer quotas countries bill amends farm_security rural investment act repeal requires usda purchase sugar domestic processors sell bioenergy producers biofuel production


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015

 This bill reauthorizes and amends laws that address livestock mandatory price reporting requirements, funding for the National Forest Foundation, and procedures for weighing and inspecting grain.

 TITLE I--MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING

This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements.

(Sec. 101) The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015.

(Sec. 102) USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day.

(Sec. 103) USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of "packer" and "importers" for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements.

USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports.

The term "packer" applies to any entity with at least 50% ownership in a facility and includes a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity.

(Sec. 104) The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting.

TITLE II--NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION

(Sec. 201) This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize USDA to provide matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation for FY2016-FY2018.

TITLE III--UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT REAUTHORIZATION

This bill reauthorizes and amends provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act. The Act authorizes USDA to establish official marketing standards for grains, and to provide procedures for grain inspection and weighing. The bill reauthorizes several expiring provisions through FY2020, establishes procedures in the event of an interruption of inspection and weighing services, revises the process for delegating inspections to state agencies, and revises fees for inspection and weighing services.

(Sec. 301) The bill revises USDA's discretionary authority to waive weighing and inspection requirements in emergency circumstances to require a waiver in an emergency. Transfers of grain into an export elevator by any mode of transportation are not required to be officially weighed.

In the case of a disruption in official grain inspection or weighing services, the bill requires USDA to immediately take the actions necessary to address the disruption and resume services. USDA must also report to Congress on the disruption and provide daily updates until services have resumed.

The bill ends the permanent delegation to state agencies to carry out export inspection and weighing services. Every five years, USDA must certify that each state agency with a delegation of authority is meeting specified criteria. The certification process must include public notice and a comment period. State agencies that have been delegated authority and intend to temporarily discontinue official inspection or weighing services, except in the case of a major disaster, must notify USDA in advance.

USDA must waive geographic boundaries to permit agencies to carry out weighing and inspection activities in another geographic area if specified conditions are met.

In order to review the performance of states, local agencies, and individuals that have applied to perform official inspections other than at export port locations, USDA must periodically consult with customers of the applicant and work with the applicant to address any concerns.

The bill extends the duration of licenses for inspectors from three to five years. Designations of official agencies terminate at a time specified by USDA that is no later than every five years.

The bill changes the fee calculation for inspection and weighing services and extends the authority to collect fees through FY2020.

The bill extends the limitation on total administrative and supervisory costs, the authorization of appropriations, and the authorization of the advisory committee through FY2020.

(Sec. 302) USDA must report to Congress on the disruption in federal inspection of grain exports at the Port of Vancouver in the summer of 2014. The report must include factors that led or contributed to the disruption and changes in policy USDA has implemented to ensure that a similar disruptions does not occur in the future.

(Sec. 303) USDA must report to Congress on policy barriers to U.S. grain producers in countries that: (1) produce grain that receives official grading in the United States, and (2) do not offer official grading for U.S. grain or provide only the lowest designation for U.S. grain.

measure amended reported senate september summary version repeated agriculture act bill reauthorizes amends laws address livestock mandatory price reporting requirements funding procedures weighing inspecting grain title mandatory price reporting bill amends agricultural_marketing_act extend revise department_of_agriculture usda livestock mandatory price reporting requirements sec bill extends authority continuing mandatory livestock price reporting fy2020 current authority expires end fy2015 sec usda begin reporting specified price details certain negotiated purchases swine usda include required information occurs reporting deadline reports day sec usda revise regulations modify definitions packer importers purpose reporting requirements usda include importers imported average metric tons meat products year previous years importers usda determines included based volume imports term packer applies entity ownership facility includes federally inspected processing plant slaughtered processed equivalent average head year previous years usda include processing plants considered packers based capacity sec usda consult relevant market participants study report congress implementation livestock mandatory price reporting title national forest foundation act reauthorization sec bill amends authorize usda provide matching funds certain administrative project expenses incurred fy2016 fy2018 title iii united states grain standards act reauthorization bill reauthorizes amends provisions standards act act authorizes usda establish official marketing standards grains provide procedures grain inspection weighing bill reauthorizes expiring provisions fy2020 establishes procedures event interruption inspection weighing services revises process delegating inspections state agencies revises fees inspection weighing services sec bill revises usda discretionary authority waive weighing inspection requirements emergency circumstances require waiver emergency transfers grain export elevator mode transportation required officially case disruption official grain inspection weighing services bill requires usda immediately actions necessary address disruption resume services usda report congress disruption provide daily updates services resumed bill ends permanent delegation state agencies carry export inspection weighing services years usda certify state agency delegation authority meeting specified criteria certification process include public notice comment period state agencies delegated authority intend temporarily discontinue official inspection weighing services case major disaster notify usda advance usda waive geographic boundaries permit agencies carry weighing inspection activities geographic area specified conditions met order review performance states local agencies individuals applied perform official inspections export port locations usda periodically consult customers applicant work applicant address concerns bill extends duration licenses inspectors years designations official agencies terminate time specified usda later years bill changes fee calculation inspection weighing services extends authority collect fees fy2020 bill extends limitation total administrative supervisory costs authorization appropriations authorization advisory committee fy2020 sec usda report congress disruption federal inspection grain exports port vancouver summer report include factors led contributed disruption changes policy usda implemented ensure similar disruptions occur future sec usda report congress policy barriers grain producers countries produce grain receives official grading united_states offer official grading grain provide lowest designation grain


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 29. 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to repeal country of origin labeling requirements for beef, pork, and chicken. Country of origin labeling requirements are administered by the Department of Agriculture and require a retailer to inform consumers of the country of origin of a covered commodity.

measure amended reported house summary version repeated country origin labeling amendments act sec bill amends agricultural_marketing_act repeal country origin labeling requirements beef pork chicken country origin labeling requirements administered department_of_agriculture require retailer inform consumers country origin covered commodity


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 23, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the United States Cotton Futures Act to exclude cotton future contracts involving cotton that is grown outside of the United States and tendered for delivery from coverage under the Act, including the requirement that the cotton be classified by the Department of Agriculture.

measure amended passed house june summary version repeated sec bill amends united_states cotton futures act exclude cotton future contracts involving cotton grown outside united_states delivery coverage act including requirement cotton classified department_of_agriculture


Summary:
Feeding America through Farm Flexibility Act of 2015

This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to increase the number of acres on which agricultural producers are authorized to grow fruits and vegetables without a resulting reduction in the payment acres used to calculate price loss coverage and agriculture risk coverage payments.

The increases are permitted if the crops on the additional acres are grown for sale or donation in a food desert, which is a census tract that: (1) has a poverty rate of at least 20%, and (2) provides difficult access to a retail outlet that provides a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

feeding america farm flexibility act bill amends agricultural act increase number acres agricultural producers authorized grow fruits vegetables resulting reduction payment acres calculate price loss coverage agriculture risk coverage payments increases permitted crops additional acres grown sale donation food desert census tract poverty rate provides difficult access retail provides wide variety fruits vegetables


Summary:
Local Farm Vehicle Flexibility Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from terminating, reducing, limitoing, or otherwise interfering with the amount or timing of grants a state is otherwise eligible to receive as a result of any minimum standard or exemption the state gives a covered farm vehicle or the driver of such vehicle less stringent than federal requirements for commercial motor vehicles and drivers.

A covered farm vehicle means any motor vehicle meeting certain gross weight requirements and:

 registered or otherwise designated by a state for use in, or transportation activities related to, the operation of farms; operated by a farm or ranch owner or operator, or an employee or family member; transporting to or from a farm or ranch agricultural commodities, livestock, agricultural supplies, or machinery; and not used in the operations of a for-hire motor carrier, nor transporting materials requiring a placard. A covered farm vehicle may also be one meeting these requirements but operated pursuant to a crop share farm lease agreement, owned by a tenant under that agreement, and transporting the landlord's portion of the crops.

flexibility act bill prohibits department_of_transportation terminating reducing interfering timing grants state eligible receive result minimum standard exemption state gives covered farm vehicle driver vehicle stringent federal requirements commercial motor vehicles drivers covered farm vehicle means motor vehicle meeting certain gross weight requirements registered designated state use transportation activities related operation farms operated farm ranch owner operator employee family member transporting farm ranch agricultural commodities livestock agricultural supplies machinery operations hire motor carrier transporting materials requiring covered farm vehicle meeting requirements operated pursuant crop share farm lease agreement owned tenant agreement transporting landlord portion crops


Summary:
Land-Grant Opportunity Act

This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to modify the formula that the Department of Agriculture uses to distribute funds for land-grant colleges and universities to provide additional funding for certain historically black colleges and universities.

land grant opportunity act bill amends teaching policy act modify formula department_of_agriculture uses distribute funds land grant colleges universities provide additional funding certain historically black colleges universities


Summary:
Crop Insurance Restoration Act

This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to repeal changes regarding the Standard Reinsurance Agreement that were enacted as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.

The bill eliminates provisions that: (1) require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to renegotiate the Standard Reinsurance Agreement no later than December 31, 2016, and at least once every five years thereafter, and (2) establish an 8.9% cap on the overall rate of return for insurance providers under the agreement.

(The Standard Reinsurance Agreement is an agreement between USDA and the private companies that administer the federal crop insurance program. It specifies details such as administrative and operating expense reimbursements and risk sharing between USDA and the companies in the operation of the program.)

crop insurance restoration act bill amends federal_crop_insurance_act repeal changes standard_reinsurance_agreement enacted bipartisan_budget_act bill eliminates provisions require department_of_agriculture usda renegotiate standard_reinsurance_agreement later december years establish cap overall rate return insurance providers agreement standard reinsurance agreement agreement usda private companies administer federal crop insurance program specifies details administrative operating expense reimbursements risk sharing usda companies operation program


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 16, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a full deduction in the current taxable year of the cost of replanting lost or damaged citrus plants. The taxpayer must own an equity interest of at least 50% in such replanted plants and may deduct costs paid or incurred through 2025.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated emergency citrus disease response act sec bill amends internal_revenue_code allow deduction current taxable year cost replanting lost damaged citrus plants taxpayer equity interest plants deduct costs paid incurred


Summary:
Assisting Family Farmers through Insurance Reform Measures Act or the AFFIRM Act

This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce federal crop insurance payments and disclose details regarding subsidies.

The bill prohibits premium subsidies: (1) for additional coverage for any person or legal entity that has an average adjusted gross income that exceeds $250,000, (2) that exceed $40,000 per year for any person or legal entity, or (3) for policies that are based on the actual market price of an agricultural commodity at the time of harvest.

The bill establishes an annual cap on total reimbursements for administrative and operating costs of crop insurance providers that begins at $900 million for 2015 and is adjusted for inflation in each subsequent year. The overall rate of return for insurance providers is capped at 8.9%.

The bill eliminates a requirement that any renegotiated Standard Insurance Agreement (SRA) be budget-neutral. (The SRA is an agreement between USDA and the private companies that administer the federal crop insurance program that specifies details such as administrative and operating expense reimbursements and risk sharing. Eliminating the budget neutrality requirement permits USDA to use the renegotiation of the SRA to achieve savings.)

USDA must annually disclose to the public specified details regarding the recipients and amounts of federal crop insurance subsidies.

assisting family farmers insurance reform measures act affirm act bill amends federal_crop_insurance_act require department_of_agriculture usda reduce federal crop insurance payments disclose details subsidies bill prohibits premium subsidies additional coverage person legal entity average adjusted gross income exceeds exceed year person legal entity policies based actual market price agricultural commodity time harvest bill establishes annual cap total reimbursements administrative operating costs crop insurance providers begins million adjusted inflation subsequent year overall rate return insurance providers capped bill eliminates requirement renegotiated budget neutral agreement usda private companies administer federal crop insurance program specifies details administrative operating expense reimbursements risk sharing eliminating budget neutrality requirement permits usda use renegotiation achieve savings usda annually disclose public specified details recipients amounts federal crop insurance subsidies


Summary:
Facilitating Farmers' Access to Resources and Machinery Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to private activity bond financing for first-time farmers, to: (1) increase from $450,000 to $520,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) the amount of bond proceeds that may be used by a first-time farmer to acquire land for farming purposes, (2) repeal the separate dollar limitation on the use of bond proceeds for used farm equipment, and (3) modify the definition of "substantial farmland" to determine farm size by reference to the average (instead of median) size of a farm in the county in which the farm is located.

facilitating farmers bill amends internal_revenue_code respect private activity bond financing time farmers increase adjusted annually inflation bond proceeds time farmer acquire land farming purposes repeal separate dollar limitation use bond proceeds farm equipment modify definition substantial farmland determine farm size reference average instead median size farm county farm located


Summary:
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Guaranteed Loan Modernization Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 1961 to revise the limits for the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) conservation loan guarantee program.

The bill replaces the existing 80% limit on the portion of a loan that USDA may guarantee with limits that range from 80%-90%, depending on the principal amount of the loan. For socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers or ranchers, the bill replaces the existing 90% limit with limits that range from 85%-95%, depending on the principal amount of the loan.

USDA may not guarantee a loan under the program that exceeds $3.5 million.

beginning_farmer bill amends agricultural act revise limits department_of_agriculture usda conservation loan guarantee program bill replaces existing limit portion loan usda guarantee limits range depending principal loan socially disadvantaged beginning farmers ranchers bill replaces existing limit limits range depending principal loan usda guarantee loan program exceeds million


Summary:
Beginning Farmers Agenda Act of 2016

This bill amends various agricultural laws to modify and establish programs to assist beginning farmers.

The bill makes land trusts eligible for certain assistance under the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. In administering the program, USDA may prioritize an application for purchasing an easement that maintains agricultural viability, requires subsequent purchases to be at agricultural value, or both.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $250,000 in gains from the sale or exchange of certain agricultural property to a beginning, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmer or rancher, subject to specified conditions.

The bill modifies several agricultural programs to:

 require the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to prequalify loan applicants, increase and index for inflation the limit on the amount of USDA farm ownership loans per borrower, establish minimum funding requirements for agriculture land easements and wetland reserve easements, transfer jurisdiction of the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers to the FSA, establish an online customer self-service portal, reauthorize the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, and authorize grants for farm viability programs. The FSA must assign state coordinators to promote communication with beginning farmers or ranchers and increase their access to USDA programs.

The General Services Administration may sell surplus farm equipment or property to socially disadvantaged, veteran, or beginning farmers and ranchers.

The bill provides funding for: (1) the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Accounts Pilot Program, and (2) the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

beginning farmers bill amends agricultural laws modify establish programs assist beginning farmers bill makes land trusts eligible certain assistance department_of_agriculture usda administering program usda prioritize application purchasing easement maintains agricultural viability requires subsequent purchases agricultural value bill amends internal_revenue_code exclude gross income gains sale exchange certain agricultural property beginning socially disadvantaged veteran farmer rancher subject specified conditions bill modifies agricultural programs require farm_service_agency fsa loan applicants increase index inflation limit usda farm ownership loans borrower establish minimum funding requirements agriculture land easements wetland reserve easements transfer jurisdiction ranchers fsa establish online customer self service portal reauthorize beginning farmer authorize grants farm viability programs fsa assign state coordinators promote communication beginning farmers ranchers increase access usda programs general_services_administration sell surplus farm equipment property socially disadvantaged veteran beginning farmers ranchers bill provides funding beginning_farmer


Summary:
Mead Equality And Definition Act of 2016 or the MEAD Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify rules regarding the taxation of mead (honey wine) and other agricultural wines.

The bill repeals the limitations on adding wine spirits to an agricultural wine or using any coloring material, herbs, or other flavoring material (except hops in the case of honey wine) in the production.

The Department of the Treasury must modify regulations for the production of agricultural wine to allow: (1) the use of spirits in the production of agricultural wine; and (2) additional ingredients to be added during the production of mead, including limited amounts of fruits, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients that are suitable for human food consumption and safe for use in an alcoholic beverage.

In modifying the regulations, Treasury must also:

 eliminate limitations on the quantity of hops used in mead; specify certain requirements for the density of the honey and water mixture when additional ingredients are added to mead; limit the alcohol content of mead to 24% by volume; and allow an agricultural wine to be produced for research and development without an approved formula, as long as the wine is not marketed or sold prior to approval of the formula. The bill also: (1) specifies a tax rate of 22.6 cents per gallon for mead containing not more than 0.64 grams of carbon dioxide per hundred milliliters of mead, and (2) allows a credit against such tax on meads for small domestic producers.

mead equality definition act mead act bill amends internal_revenue_code modify rules taxation mead honey wine agricultural wines bill repeals limitations adding wine spirits agricultural wine coloring material flavoring material hops case honey wine production department_of_the_treasury modify regulations production agricultural wine allow use spirits production agricultural wine additional ingredients added production mead including limited amounts fruits vegetables ingredients suitable human food consumption safe use alcoholic beverage modifying regulations treasury eliminate limitations quantity hops mead specify certain requirements density honey water mixture additional ingredients added mead limit alcohol content mead volume allow agricultural wine produced research development approved formula long wine marketed sold prior approval formula bill specifies tax rate cents gallon mead containing grams carbon dioxide milliliters mead allows credit tax small domestic producers