Federal, state and local legislation shapes the business and social environment in which value-added businesses function.  Of primary importance is what is commonly referred to as the Farm Bill.  This legislation has a profound impact on the agricultural sector.

The Farm Bill and California Food and Agriculture.
Every five years or so the United States reconsiders its major food, farm and rural policies in a new “Farm Bill”.  This provides an overview for considering the options for the 2007 Farm Bill.

Agricultural Conservation and the 2007 Farm Bill: A California Perspective.
Revising conservation programs can have significant impacts on both agricultural production and environmental quality. The brief describes the main environmental programs in the Farm Bill and considers their implications from a California perspective.

Agricultural Research Policy and the 2007 Farm Bill: Some California Perspectives.
USDA spending under "Research, Education and Economics" accounted for $2.7 billion, only 2.2 percent of USDA spending in 2005, but is much more important than the expenditure share would suggest.

What Would Happen if Federal Farm Subsidies Were Eliminated? Evidence for Colusa and Tulare Counties.

Commodity Policy and California Agriculture, reviews some of the most significant governmental programs that influence California agriculture and highlights similarities with and differences from agricultural policy elsewhere. It describes government programs that support California commodities and attempts to quantify that description.