Feb 7, 2014
Farm bill signed in MSU ceremony

President Barack Obama signed into law the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) on Feb 7.

The signing ceremony took place at Michigan State University in the home state of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, who Obama and others cited for her leadership in getting the legislation passed. The school’s strong agricultural focus as the nation’s first land-grant university also was pointed to as a factor in the location selection.

Obama said the bipartisan farm bill has far-reaching effects on several sectors of the economy, from energy to housing and food assistance for the poor. He said Michigan State University shows how research and innovation can help the country.

“The farm bill is not just about helping farmers. It’s like a Swiss army knife,” Obama said before an invitation-only crowd of 500 inside MSU’s Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, an equestrian barn.

During the speech, he promoted the launching of a new “Made in Rural America” initiative to promote exporting agricultural goods.

Obama praised Stabenow, the Senate agriculture committee chairwoman, for helping to shepherd through the farm bill, which has been widely lauded by agricultural groups, including those representing specialty crop producers.

Obama’s visit to MSU marked a rare bill signing ceremony outside of Washington, and represented a unique opportunity for the state’s agriculture research to step into the national spotlight.




Current Issue

On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions

Data collection tool expands farm management

Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard

IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights

IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees

Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals

Fresh Views 40 Under 40

see all current issue »

Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

produceprocessingsm Organic Grower