conservation

NRCS Announces Changes to Strengthen Technical Input

Dan Farm Bill, Technology, USDA-NRCS

Last week, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced they are expanding the technical input in program development and technical services in their program delivery. The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes expanding the membership on the State Technical Committee and expanding the avenues through which technical service providers can be certified. Other changes include the administration of the, Watershed Protection and …

usda

NAP Buy-Up Coverage Now Available

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Field Crops

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind producers that higher levels of coverage are available through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The 2018 Farm Bill also increased service fees and made other changes to the program, including service fee waivers for qualified military veterans interested in obtaining NAP coverage. NAP provides financial assistance to producers of commercial …

farm

2018 Farm Bill Increases Farm Loan Limits

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Industry News Release

Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in farm loans from the Department of Agriculture. USDA announced last week the increase would help farmers purchase farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency, and made changes to other loans, such …

dairy producers

Farm Bill Status Update: Dairy Programs to Open Soon

Dan Dairy, Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative

In an update on the 2019 Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture has provided target dates for dairy programs. In the announcement, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue stated, “we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” but added USDA is diligently working on completing the process. Specifically relating to dairy in Title One of the farm bill, USDA says …

farm bill

USDA Update on Farm Bill Implementation Progress

Dan Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20th, 2018 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementation of key programs. USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public, specific to each agency’s respective mission areas. “At USDA we …

farm bill

Broad Coalition Urges Congress to Protect Farm Bill Program Funding

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative

As farmers, ranchers and rural communities grapple with a devastatingly weak farm economy, nearly 200 organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and several state Farm Bureaus, are urging congressional budget writers to reject calls for additional cuts to farm bill programs. The bipartisan, budget-neutral 2018 farm bill was built upon the previous farm bill, which made a significant contribution …

american rescue plan

Farmers Helped Protect Crop Insurance During 2018 Farm Bill Debate

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative

Every five years, Congress sets the course for our nation’s agricultural policy with the passage of a Farm Bill. When farm policy critics predictably suggested that Congress use the 2018 Farm Bill to undermine the critical safety net that crop insurance provides, those who depend on crop insurance were quick to tell Capitol Hill to “do no harm” to this important program. …

ncba

NCBA on Farm Bill Implementation

Dan Cattle, Farm Bill, Legislative

In late December, President Trump signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, otherwise known as the 2018 Farm Bill. But the federal government partial shutdown took place, and you may have heard how that really put implementation of the bill way behind. But according to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs, Allison Rivera, it affected it only slightly.

short-term

Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session Open to Producers

Dan Farm Bill, Industry News Release

Register by February 22! The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency. Each agency will take into account stakeholder input when making discretionary decisions on …