Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced today that the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.  This bill provides $18.8 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and programs supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural America.

Representative Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he included $593,000 in this bill for Precision Agriculture at the Tennessee Valley Research Center in Belle Mina.  Previously, Representative Cramer secured $593,000 in FY 2006 and $604,000 in FY 2005 for this center.

“This year’s drought illustrates the importance of precision agriculture research,” said Cramer.  “Having a strong understanding of the layout and composition of one’s farm would enable our farmers to better prepare for emergency weather situations when our agriculture resources are scarce.”

In addition, Representative Cramer announced that his committee provided $52 million for the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils, which is $37.7 million above the Administration’s request.  Early this year, Representative Cramer expressed his support for full funding of the RC&D Councils to Appropriations Committee leadership and encouraged them to reject the Administration’s proposed cuts.

Cramer said, “The Alabama RC&D Councils are made up of local individuals who understand the situations facing our farmers.  Their unique local perspective and experience is vital to helping USDA develop new policies and programs to help North Alabama.  I’m please my colleagues continued funding for this much needed program.”

Representative Cramer along with Representative Robert Aderholt (Ala.-04) also included language in the Appropriations Committee’s report supporting the City of Rainsville’s efforts to construct a state-of-the-art Agricenter.  The Rainsville AgriCenter would provide economic and educational opportunities to farmers in Northeast Alabama.

The FY 2008 Agriculture Appropriations Bill now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration.