b'NPC, Specialty Crop Groups Gear Up For 2023 Farm Bill Effortby Kam Quarles, NPC Executive Vice President and CEOAsthe118thSessionofCongressvalueaccountingfor$64.7billion settlesin,agpolicyworldhasinU.S.,SCFBAisanationalcoali-turneditsattentiontoaloomingtion of over 200 organizations advo-debatethatwillshapethewaycating broad-based policy initiatives growersandalliedindustrymem- to address unique needs of specialty bers operate for years to come. Ofcropsindustrywhileaidingtheir course, that issue is the writing ofoverallcompetitivenessagainst the 2023 Farm Bill.importspressuresonAmerican exports.In early February, as the House and SenateAgricultureCommitteesPrimary goals of the 2023 Farm Bill kicked off their Farm Bill hearings inrecommendations are to ensure that earnest, the Specialty Crop Farm Billspecialty crop farmers have access to NPCAlliance (SCFBA) released its policyvital financial tools, market oppor-recommendations.Asonethetunitiesandriskmanagement, SCFBAco-chairs,joiningMikewhileprioritizinghealthy MessageJoyner, President of the Florida FruitAmericansthroughnutritionpro-& Vegetable Association, and Davegrams, research and innovation.Puglia,PresidentandCEOof WesternGrowers,theAllianceAmongotherthings,theSCFBA issued a total of 109 specific recom- callsforincreasingfundingfor mendations covering eight titles ofSpecialtyCropBlockGrants the bill and prioritizing core princi- Program(SCBGP)to$250million plessuchashealthyAmericans,annually;improvingsmall-scale competitivenessandsustainability,research grants program by raising tradeandforeigncompetition,itsauthorizedlevelfrom$10mil-research and innovation, and natu- lion to $15 million per year; estab-ral resources and climate. lishingapermanentdisasterrelief fund for horticulture crops with an Representing a diverse sector of agri- initial capitalization of at least $100 cultureeconomywithfarmgatemillion; reauthorizing and strength-8 POTATO GROWER MARCH 2023'