family farms

family farms Sec. 102. (a) Congress hereby specifically reaffirms the historical policy of the United States to foster and encourage the family farm system of agriculture in this country. Congress firmly believes that the maintenance of the family farm system of agriculture is essential to the social well-being of the Nation and the. competitive production of adequate supplies of food and fiber. Congress further believes that any significant expansion of nonfamily owned large-scale corporate farming enterprises will be detrimental to the national welfare. It is neither the policy nor the intent of Congress that agricultural and agriculture-related programs be administered exclusively for family farm operations, but it is the policy and the express intent of Congress that no such program be administered in a manner that will place the family farm operation at an unfair economic disadvantage. (b) In order that Congress may be better informed regarding the status of the family farm system of agriculture in the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress, not later than July 1 of each year, a written report containing current information on trends in family farm operations and comprehensive national and State-by-State data on nonfamily farm operations in the United States. The Secretary shall also include in each such report (1) information on how existing agricultural and agriculture-related programs 91 STAT. 919are being administered to enhance and strengthen the family farm system of agriculture in the United States, (2) an assessment of how Federal laws may encourage the growth of nonfamily farm operations, and (3) such other information as the Secretary deems appropriate or determines would aid Congress in protecting, preserving, and strengthening the family farm system of agriculture in the United States.