The Transformation of the Farm Bill

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

who frontpage

member frontpage

Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

In the agriculture and food industries, the Farm Bill is one of the single most important pieces of legislation the industries operate under. To people inside the Beltway and out in the fields, farm policy discussions are commonplace, but what about the consumers between the farms and fork?

By: Andy Harig, Senior Director, Sustainability, Tax & Trade, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/president_obama_signs_the_farm_bill_(12463872013).tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=def706e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="President Obama Signs the 2014 Farm Bill" title="mg-caption: President Obama Signs the 2014 Farm Bill" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> George Orwell wrote, “Each generation imagines itself more intelligent than the one that went before it and wiser than the one that comes after it.” When it comes to sustainability, it is easy to fall into that very trap. The high value placed on sustainable supply chains and greening retail can make current leaders feel like they’ve seized on an opportunity missed by previous generations, but for the food wholesale and retail industry it is actually old hat. All you have to do is look at the history of the Farm Bill. In the agriculture and food industries, the <a href="http://www.fb.org/issues/farm-policy/farm-bureau-farm-bill-resources-in-depth/">Farm Bill</a> is one of the single most important pieces of legislation the industries operate under. To people inside the Beltway and out in the fields, farm policy discussions are commonplace, but what about the consumers between the farms and fork? This bill covers everything from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for all families, especially low-income households to sustainable production practices training. This package of laws sets the course for food and farming, and as retailers play a key role in the food supply chain, we must ensure the Farm Bill reflects what our country’s farmers and eaters need for a sustainable future. The Farm Bill originates back to 1933 as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation. This time period was tumultuous for our country, with farmers and families suffering the most. The policy was drafted in response to the economic and environmental crises of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The original goals of the bill were to ensure an adequate food supply, keep food prices fair, and to protect our country’s natural resources. Since then, the Farm Bill has been reauthorized by Congress nearly every five years. Members of Congress who serve on the <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/">Senate</a> and <a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/">House</a> Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry are primarily responsible for drafting legislation. Currently, the agriculture and food industries are authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill, which includes 12 sections or titles. The titles cover: <ul> <li>Commodities</li> <li>Conservation</li> <li>Trade</li> <li>Nutrition</li> <li>Credit</li> <li>Rural Development</li> <li>Research, Extension and Related Matters</li> <li>Forestry</li> <li>Energy</li> <li>Specialty Crops & Horticulture</li> <li>Crop Insurance</li> <li>Miscellaneous—things like advocacy programs and workforce development </li> </ul> The next Farm Bill is expected to be reauthorized in the fall of 2018. <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/hearings/conservation-and-forestry-perspectives-on-the-past-and-future-direction-for-the-2018-farm-bill-1">Hearings</a>, <a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3964">discussions</a> and negotiations are well underway in Washington. With food retailers oftentimes the delivery mechanism of the bountiful harvest of farmers, we must be engaged in dialogue to ensure our voice is heard on issues that are critical to the grocery industry. One way to get involved is to attend the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/sustainabilitysummit/About">2017 Global Sustainability Summit</a> in Nashville, TN August 9-11. Conversations about how to thrive and remain sustainable in an ever-changing world will be had, and we need you to take your seat at the table. For more information on the Summit and food policy, tune into <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FoodMarketingInstitute/">FMI’s Facebook</a> page for a live discussion on policy issues that will be discussed at the Summit on Thursday, July 13th at 10 a.m. EST.

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.