In my continuation from yesterday's Extension Connection column, we are tracking the progress of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 that will guide farm policy through 2012. Over 550 groups signed a letter urging passage of the bill. As the conference report moves through the House & Senate with bi-partisan support, it appears to have hit a buzz saw from Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer and President Bush.

Secretary Schafer said last Monday, "I have visited face to face with the President. He was very clear and very direct. The President will veto this bill when he gets it." Once the conference report is approved by both houses, the President then has ten days to either sign or veto the legislation. Should he veto the bill, a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate would be necessary to override the veto.

In a statement from President Bush, he said, "In January 2007, I was hopeful that leaders in Washington could come together on a good farm bill. At that time, my administration had completed more that fifty listening sessions across the country and developed a reform-minded farm bill based on the thousands of comments received. Our proposal would make wise use of the people's money by reforming farm programs, funding emergency priorities, and providing a safety net that better targets benefits for farmers. I am deeply disappointed in the conference report filed today as it falls short of the proposal my administration put forward. If this bill makes it to my desk, I will veto it. In the absence of a good farm bill, I call on Congress to extend the current law for at least one year. The administration's reform-minded proposal would be preferable to current law, but in light of the bill produced by conferees an extension is now the better policy for American agriculture and American taxpayers. It is a far superior option than supporting a bill that increases farm subsidy rates, spends too much and fails to reform farm programs in the future."

The members of Congress didn't get much of an opportunity to learn the details of the legislation since it is nearly 2000 pages! If you would like an excellent three page summation, go to www.farmgate.uiuc.edu for the May 14 posting titled, "Here's a Glimpse of Your New Farm Bill, In Case You Are Asked About It" by Farmgate blogger Stu Ellis. Stay tuned!