Although proposed spending for the 2007 farm bill totals $10 billion less than the 2002 law, more money would be directed to specialty crops to balance past spending that favored program crops, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said.

Specialty crop proposals under the new bill would add:

. $68 million in mandatory funding for technical assistance to help farmers promote and develop new sales markets in addition to a $250 million boost for market access promotion.

. $500 million in new funding over the next 10 years to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program to buy more fruits and vegetables for children.

. $2.75 billion in new funding to support nutrition assistance programs.

. $1 billion added over the next 10 years for a new specialty crop research initiative to address plant breeding, disease management and crop growth issues.