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The Agricultural Act of 1970
The administration wanted to end parity or equality guarantees for price supports and replace it with flexible supports based on the world market prices. -
The Agriculture and Consumer Protections Act of 1973
The Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 was passed by the 93rd Congress. This law limits payments for commodities to $20,000 This law also included provisions and guidance for many areas of agriculture. -
The turmoil of oil
In October 1973, the Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries refused to ship oil to the United States, Western Europe or Japan in retaliation for their support of Israel during the Yom Kippur War against Egypt. The price of oil rose dramatically, triggering a worldwide energy crisis and economic recession. The Western world, especially the United States, had long taken energy for granted. Now there were shortages, rationing and long lines to purchase gasoline. -
Agriculture and renewable energy
The energy crisis affected farmers because modern agriculture depended heavily on petroleum-powered equipment derived from natural gas. The energy crises generated interest in renewable energy sources including growing crops to produce fuel. Higher energy costs caused crop and livestock prices to rise and remain high until nearly the end of the decade. Farm land values remained high and interest rates low, which encouraged many farmers to take out large loans for the purchase of land/machinery. -
The Food and Agriculture Act of 1977.
the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 was a bill that combines diverse topics and is accepted in a single vote by the legislature.In this farm bill were income supports and the establishment of a farmer-owned reserve for grain and a two-tier program for peanuts. -
Science: The competitive edge
During the 1970s, USDA plant scientists introduced numerous improved fruit, vegetable, cotton, and wheat varieties that enhanced the American farmer's place in the global marketplace. Visit this USDA website to learn more about the USDA's citrus development program, and then answer the following questions. -
Farm crisis of 1981
Unfortunately for farmers, the boom of the 1970s, which encouraged them to expand production, would come to a disastrous end.Economic changes were not long in coming Export markets began to shrink in the early 1980s because of European subsidies, and interest rates in the United States rose. Then, in January 1980, President Jimmy Carter cancelled sales of American grain to the Soviet Union in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan> -
The Agriculture and Food Act of 1981.
The Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 was constructed by the 97th Congress of the United States. The 1981 farm bill contained 18 sections here are some important ones.
Title XII: Agricultural Exports and Public Law 480 Title XIII: Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1981 Title XIV: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 Title XVI: Credit, Rural Development, and Family Farms Title XVIII: Effective Date -
The recovery of the crisis
Many protests broke out around the nation in response to hard times for American agriculture. The Farmers Home Administration placed a two-year moratorium on farm foreclosures in 1983, and many banks held off as long as possible on past due loans in order to assist desperate farmers. Eventually, though, many farmers were forced out of business. -
Droughts in the 1980s
In the 1980s, several areas of the United States suffered from serious droughts. Droughts often have a serious impact on agriculture and the people that depend on it.A drought is a natural occurrence in nature in which there is less rainfall than usual and there is hotter/windier weather. -
Expanding trade
Ultimately, expanding trade was seen as the essential solution to ending the agricultural crisis American farmers faced in the 1980s. In order to further fair trade President Reagan agreed to begin a series of trade negotiations in 1986, known as the Uruguay Round. These negotiations lasted from 1986 to 1994 and led to the 1995 creation of the World Trade Organization which set rules for trade between nations. -
Alternative and sustainable agriculture
In 1988, the USDA started the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program as part of its Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. This program funded projects and conducted outreach to improve agricultural systems and to help advance farming systems that were profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities.