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Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933
The Agricultural Adjustment Act is considered the first Farm Bill and was a part of the New Deal signed by Franklin Roosevelt. It was designed to help farmers in response to the Great Depression and the drop in crop prices. This was also the first time that government was involved in agriculture. -
United Sates V. Butler
The 1933 Agricultural Adjustment Act was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because it violated the Constitution's Commerce Clause. The act allowed the government to set production quotas, regulate supply and demand, and establish minimum prices for agricultural products. The court ruled that these provisions exceeded the federal government's powers. -
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1949
This legislation established a range of agricultural programs, including price supports, farm subsidies, and disaster assistance. This act also established the policy of farm bill revisions every five years and set the foundation for future farm bills. -
Agricultural Act of 1956
Also known as the Soil Bank Act, this legislation aimed to address the issue of overproduction that was causing lower agricultural prices. A program was created to pay farmers to remove land land from production and plant soil conserving crops instead. It's intention was to reduce surplus while raising farm incomes and improving soil health. -
Food and Agriculture Act of 1977
The Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 increased price and income supports for farmers. This act also shifted the focus of farm policy to rural development programs. This legislation permanently amended the Food Stamp Act of 1964 by simplifying eligibility requirements. Export promotion programs were also implemented to help American farmers compete in global markets. -
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
The 2008 Farm Bill authorized a number of commodity, conservation, trade, nutrition, and rural development programs. Some of the key provisions included an increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), increased funding for agricultural research, new conservation programs, and the expansion of renewable energy programs. -
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
The 2018 Farm Bill provided a boost in funding for several conservation programs like soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats. Changes were made to commodity programs to provide more flexibility and support for farmers, particularly those affected by natural disasters and trade disruptions. One of the most notable changes made was the legalization of hemp, which opened up new opportunities for farmers.