Recent State Journal editorials and an editorial cartoon have suggested that the federal farm bill was not worthy of a presidential signature.

While not perfect, this bill was a rare example of a bipartisan group of legislators working together to pass compromise legislation important to both urban and rural America.

The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives represents Wisconsin 's more than 850 cooperative businesses that are owned and operated by more than 2.9 million Wisconsin citizens. While the State Journal editorial board might think the farm bill is a failure, cooperatives across our state feel there is much in it that will benefit all of Wisconsin.

Food is the first word in the title of the bill, formally known as the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The Congressional Budget Office projects that $209 billion of the farm bill 's total cost of $307 billion over the next five years will go to programs that help feed the poor and underprivileged of our state and nation.

While the substantial majority of funding goes to urban areas, Wisconsin agriculture benefits as well. Wisconsin 's $20 billion dairy industry has been the leading recipient of help from the Milk Income Loss Contract program, and it was important to remain in the farm bill because it is designed to help small- to medium-sized dairy operations if milk prices fall below what it costs to produce the product.

Substantial new funding is also put into conservation programs. This funding is important locally. For example, the Madison Audubon Society utilized the Wetland Reserve Program (from the 2002 farm bill) to revert 1,500 acres of farmland back to wetlands.

In a May 16 editorial, the State Journal correctly asked readers to "Reject the backlash against biofuels " and said "Wisconsin, and all of America, should stay on course with the development of biofuels. " The word "energy " is in the title of the bill for a reason. Congress is providing over $1 billion to assist producers, processors and researchers to help advance the production of biofuels. This funding is vitally important because our state government and university are working hard to position us as a bio-energy leader through initiatives such as UW-Madison 's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.

Indeed, much of the farm bill criticism centers on its $5 billion in direct payments. We too are troubled when urban dwellers receive significant farm payments. As a result, we would have preferred lower limits on payments to those land owners who are not actively involved in production agriculture. However, we cannot let perfect be the enemy of good, and the farm bill sets a $750,000 limit on farm income.

The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives respects the State Journal 's opinion that the glass is half empty on this farm bill. However, we believe the glass is more than half full, and the farm bill will help ensure our state 's financial future.

Oemichen is president and CEO of the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives in Madison.