FARMINGTON — The 2008 Farm Bill is huge, and the over 350 farms in Franklin County should take note of some of the provisions that may directly or indirectly affect them even if they aren't participating in any of the current programs.

It has 15 titles and more than 600 provisions, 50 percent more than the 2002 Farm Bill. It's thick and the USDA is still ironing out how certain programs will be administered and implemented, according to Ken Gustin, USDA Farm Service Agency administrative officer/program specialist.

Every five to seven years there's a new farm bill responsible for many things. "Some provisions will impact you directly, some indirectly," Gustin told farmers, organizations and others attending a Farm Bill workshop at the University of Maine, Farmington, last week. Representatives from the US Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (which is a loan agency) and the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS gives technical assistance) are going throughout the state outlining major changes in the Farm Bill at workshops hosted by local soil and water conservation districts.

"The Farm Bill is huge." And Gustin said you hear people criticize all that money, $307 billion to administer the bill from 2008 to 2012, going to help farmers. Farms are just a small piece of the pie, he said. The Farm Bill includes a lot more than just farmers. It includes Rural Development, and the nutrition programs which constitute over half of the funding. These include Food Stamps, renamed SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) as of Oct. 1, WIC (Women Infants & Children) program, and a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for elementary school children. It also covers commodities, conservation, trade, loans, special energy programs, livestock, crop insurance and disaster assistance.

And while the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) became law on May 22, 2008, what becomes a reality for programs, Gustin explained, is the monies that are approved by the Appropriations Committee that mandate the programs. Right now, that's 71 percent of what was authorized. Details and funding levels in certain provisions continue to be hazy.

Funding for conservation programs has increased by 38 percent. "There's a huge emphasis on land conservation," Gustin said. There are a lot of regulations on these programs. "You have to follow the rules and have to be taking care of the land." Nationwide, there's an additional $200 million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help farmers solve natural resource problems; $150 million Wetlands Reserve program; and $7.5 million of Agricultural Management Assistance.

That's good news, said Joyce Swarzenberger, NRCS State Conservationist, and while there are eligibility changes, farmers in Franklin county tend to be small when compared to those in the mid-west and west, and it's doubtful those changes will have that much effect on those programs locally.

Gustin outlined some major changes in the farm bill impact disaster relief, which "takes what you've done in the past and throws it all out the window." There's now a NIAP (National Insurance Assistance Program) available where farmers who can't obtain insurance for certain crops, like blueberries, pumpkins, squash, maple syrup and some types of apples, can obtain disaster insurance. However, if a disaster occurs, to be eligible for assistance, the farmer must be enrolled in NIAP or have crop insurance. You used to have to be concerned about the amount lost and the market value, now it's based on a formula of what the normal amount of loss would be for the year. Anything over that would be covered. Additionally, you don't have to wait for the Secretary of the Department to declare an emergency exists. "It's more farmer friendly," he said.

What's considered livestock has been expanded to now include sheep, goats, red deer, bison, beefalo and poultry. It used to be pretty much cows, he said.

Money and eligibility for FSA Farm loans will be affected under the new bill, as well, said Gustin. Those loans include Direct Guaranteed loans, Farm Operating Loans, emergency Loans and Youth loans.

Other changes, Gustin outlined are an increased focus on biofuels, agri-tourism, and additional funding for the Cooperative Extension Services to facilitate agricultural research and education.

Because so many changes affect forestry, Gustin said to stay tuned for future workshops to keep people abreast of the changes and opportunities in those areas. For instance small woodlot owners will have a chance to have a substantial percentage of the cost of a forest plan reimbursed under one of the new programs.

Another major change is the origin of food labeling system that is being adopted. With the tainted spinach crisis this past year, that takes on a whole new significance, he said.