Broad Federal Farm Bill With Implications Across US Food Spectrum Debated In Washington

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 13: A customer shops for nectarines at a farmers market on June 13, 2012 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Senate has started to debate the new five-year, half trillion dollar farm and food bill that will rewrite the federal policy that outlines how American farmers are protected from financial and natural disasters. California, ranked first in the nation for specialty crops exports, is seeking continued support of specialty crops, pest management, marketing assistance and agricultural research and State lawmakers have addressed a letter to the House Committee on Agriculture asking for programs to continue. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)