Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced today that he has signed on to two important initiatives for rural America.  Simpson is cosponsoring of H.R. 1929, the Save the Family Farm and Ranch Act of 2007 and H.R. 1600, the Eat Healthy America Act. 

The Save the Family Farm and Ranch Act (H.R. 1929) would allow farm and ranch families to exempt land assets used in their business from the onerous penalties of the Estate Tax. The legislation would allow the exemption to remain in place as long as the land is used for agricultural purposes. H.R. 1929 would help ensure that farming and ranching families can pass on their way of life, and lifelong work, to future generations. 

“Many families are faced with difficult estate planning because of the death tax. Too often, farmers and ranchers must liquidate many of their assets to pay the over burdensome tax, thus giving up their way of life. It shouldn’t be this way in America,” Simpson said.

The Eat Healthy America Act (H.R. 1600) would assist farmers in detecting additional markets, both domestic and foreign, for their crops as well as aid in developing crops that are more economical and more environmentally friendly. It will also provide funding for research to combat pests and disease and provide school nutrition programs with more fruits and vegetables. The Untied States grows over 300 different specialty crops and some of Idaho’s include; potatoes, cherries, apples, onions, carrots, seeds, nursery plans, table grapes and many more.  

“Historically, specialty crops have not gotten the attention they deserve in the creation of our nation’s Farm Bills,” Simpson said. “We need to make the Farm Bill more responsive to the importance of specialty crops and I hope that by bringing early attention to the issue we can help create a win-win bill for both program and specialty crops.”  

Idaho Senator Larry Craig is the chief Republican sponsor of companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.