4. Conservation practices need to be encouraged through conservation funds for farmers, landowners and forestry lands.
5. Organic and small-scale producers need enhanced access to farm bill programs to help boost their industry.
6. Land grant university institutions and researchers need support to encourage innovation and research that supports agriculture.
7. Rural America is counting on investments in renewable energy and biofuel production for job creation.
8. New and young producers require assistance to increase the number of people producing food.
9. Cotton producers and businesses require a resolution of the Brazil cotton dispute.
10. Americans concerned about the deficit needs a bill that will help contribute to part of the solution to reducing the deficit.
Please note the above lists are not the exact wording that Vilsack has provided, but rather a highlight of his argument. The Farm Bill passed the Senate, but died when it reached the House. The 2008 farm bill extension expires Sept. 30 2013.