This week the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) held their annual Legislative Quarterly in Tallahassee, which included their Boots on the Hill event. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, says they had really good feedback from the legislators they met with. He also discusses the new report from the University of Florida/IFAS showing just how important beef and dairy production have become to …
Another Good Legislative Week for Georgia Agriculture
According to Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President, Will Bentley, week nine of the 2019 Georgia Legislative Session was another good week for agriculture.
Senate Poised to Support Home Vegetables Gardens
The Senate next week could approve a measure aimed at preventing local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. Senators on Thursday took up the bill (SB 82), sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and positioned it for a vote. The issue stems from a legal dispute between homeowners Hermine Ricketts and Laurence Carroll and the Village of Miami Shores …
Florida Senate Ag Chair on Water: ‘Science Is on Our Side’
During Wednesday evening’s Florida Cattlemen Association legislative reception festivities near the state Capitol, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Ben Albritton said water issues abound in discussion circles this year. In this brief report, Albritton emphasized agriculture’s presence in the legislative process is critical. He added that the facts about agriculture must be heard above misinformation and misguided rhetoric that too often …
Trump Budget Rapped over Everglades Money
Environmentalists and some high-profile supporters of President Donald Trump are criticizing his proposed budget for not including enough money for Everglades restoration. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., issued a news release Wednesday saying the White House budget request “failed to include sufficient funding for …
Broad Coalition Urges Congress to Protect Farm Bill Program Funding
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 …
NCBA and PLC Accepting Fall 2019 Internship Applications
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting internship applications for the Fall 2019 semester. Positions for the Fall semester (Sept. 3, 2019 – Dec. 13, 2019) include a public policy intern and law clerk. The deadline to submit an application for either position is March 15, 2019. The …
Florida Cattlemen to Hold Legislative Quarterly
Now that the 2019 Florida Legislative Session is underway, this week the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) will hold their annual Legislative Quarterly in Tallahassee. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, said Wednesday is a big day of events.
New Date for Alabama Agribusiness Council Legislative Reception
Due to the unpredictable schedule of the Alabama special legislative session, the Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) Legislative Reception has been rescheduled for April 10. Governor Kay Ivey called a special session, mainly so lawmakers could discuss an additional excise tax on gas and diesel fuel. So the Alabama Agribusiness Council hopes you can attend the reception later in the session as it honors …
Florida Congressman Francis Rooney to ‘Deal with the Continuing Menace of Agriculture’
Singling out farmers south of Lake Okeechobee during a speech to area residents in Cape Coral, Florida, in late February, Rep. Francis Rooney (R – SW FL District 19) stated he wants to “try to deal with the continuing menace of agriculture in the EAA (Everglades Agriculture Area).” This video excerpt of the congressman’s comments, transcribed below, is now being …