Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., are introducing a bill that would allow farmers to grow chicory without sacrificing federal farm bill payments.

The 2002 Farm Bill prohibits all but three crops classified as fruits and vegetables from being grown on Direct and Counter-cyclical program base acres. The proposed legislation would amend the Farm Bill to remove chicory from the prohibited items list, allowing farmers to diversify their base acre crops while still receiving federal support.

"I'm pleased to be working with Senator Nelson on an issue that is important to people in both of our states," Enzi said. "The wording in the law now is like a kink in the hose for Wyoming and Nebraska farmers. Our bill is simple, straightforward, and if passed would allow our producers to get the most out of their land. Because our growers use chicory for animal consumption, it makes sense to create a chicory exemption similar to the exemption for dry peas and lentils. Chicory is a burgeoning crop in our two states, one that will vary our agricultural production and provide excellent return to our growers."

"Nebraska and Wyoming farmers are open to pursuing alternative crops, like chicory. These crops can create new revenue streams and help diversify agriculture production," said Nelson. "We simply have to give farmers more options for diversifying agriculture if we expect them to survive."

In an August letter to Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Enzi wrote that a constituent from eastern Wyoming was interested in growing chicory yet would be discouraged from doing so by fines under the fruit and vegetable provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture replied that they did not have the authority to exempt additional crops from the Farm Bill prohibition.

"The Department of Agriculture did not specifically oppose the exemption of chicory," Enzi said, "but they were bound by the law to uphold its classification. Now we have introduced a bill to modify that."

Chicory is a root-crop that bears strong resemblance to sugar-beets. The variety grown in Wyoming is generally used as a pet-food additive.