Acer Access

[Hop Kiln Road]

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c113:H.R.1272:

I think this part of the Farm Bill is still alive - since NY is pushing hard - but retitled Acer Access and Development Program. My read is each State through its Dept of Ag (?) has to propose a grant system to the USDA. Any ideas we can submit to those nice people in Concord?

[tuckermtn]

Bruce - I think the Farm Bill is still getting debated in the Senate, but I expect we will see a final vote this week.

I would give it a few weeks for the bean counters at the USDA to figure out what it all means, and then give the folks at NRCS or USDA in Concord a call.

When I read this line "(2) Promotion of natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry" that tells me their is either low-interest loans or grants for energy effiicency improvements for maple producers.

[Hop Kiln Road]

Eric - I'm more interested in this:

(4) Encouragement of owners and operators of privately-held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer--
(A) to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land; or

I was thinking grants to develop 50 to 500 tap orchards on private lands. For some reason I thought the farm bill has passed. Maybe not.

[collinsmapleman2012]

The farm bill passed the house, which is by far the harder of the two for agriculture regulations to get passed in, because the representation is based upon population, whereas the senate has two senators per state(making it more likely to have better representation of rural populations). Another big hurdle coming up after that is getting it signed by the president, I think that will be harder to do, because of the reduction in SNAP benefits, but thats probably enough politics. wow my Ag Policy class is paying off :D:o

[sjdoyon]

(B) to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities.

The articles I read related to NY was about making state lands available to sugar making. After living in NY for a few years, the cynical part of me believes the land will only be available to big money men in NY city.

Plenty of maple sugarbushes in the White Mountains so maybe some opportunities in NH.

[DrTimPerkins]

To avoid cross-posting, see http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?22065-Farm-Bill&p=250463#post250463

[BAP]

Thanks for keeping us updated Dr. Tim