Farm energy programs do double duty

The Senate and House agriculture committees' attempt to integrate a "secret" $250 billion Farm Bill within the supercommittee's package of recommendations collapsed last month with the deficit panel's failure to reach agreement on how to cut federal spending and raise new revenues. As a result, agriculture policymakers are back to square one in crafting a new Farm Bill that will determine much of our nation's food, fiber, conservation and energy policies for the next five years, if not longer.

By Dennis McGinn and Ernest Shea

December 5, 2011