<p>The farm bill saga has finally reached the finale. President Obama has signed the $1 trillion farm bill at Michigan State University. The five year measure includes a cut to the food stamps program of about 1%, and ends direct payment crop subsidies, while greatly expanding government-backed crop insurance programs.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/hl_farm_bill_feb_7_2014_body00.jpg" alt="Images 020714" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">(Image courtesy of Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Although the bill passed with support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, Fox News reports that the bipartisan spirit didn’t extend to the signing ceremony. While Obama was surrounded with farm equipment, hay bales, and Democratic lawmakers, all invited Republicans declined to attend.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Along with the signing of the farm bill, President Obama will undergo a new administrative initiative called “Made in Rural America” to connect rural businesses with federal resources that can help sell their products and services abroad, according to Fox News.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The farm bill also includes a 55% increase in investment in crucial produce industry initiatives and programs, according to a press release from the United Fresh Produce Association.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Crop subsidies will still exist under the bill, though they will no longer be paid in the form of direct payment subsidies. The new system of payments will be based on crop loss, meaning that farmers will have to incur losses before being paid.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/07/obama-signs-farm-bill-that-trims-food-stamps" target="_new"> Fox News </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
