usda

USDA Finalizes National Environmental Policy Act Rule

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced last week that USDA has finalized a rule to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. According to the Department, the changes outlined in the rule “consolidated seven agency-specific NEPA regulations into a single, department wide framework, reducing the overall volume of regulations by 66 percent.” Secretary Rollins said, “Since last July, agencies …

fsis

FSIS Proposes Rulemaking On Establishment Sizes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is considering revising the definitions for establishment sizes for meat and poultry establishments, as well as egg products plants. According to a posting by the Department on X, “Small processors keep rural America running. For nearly 30 years, USDA has used outdated definitions that don’t always reflect how these businesses …

lab-grown meat ban

Florida Fake Meat Ban Withstands Appeals Court Challenge

The Florida Fake Meat Ban withstood an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by a lawsuit filed by Upside Foods, Inc. The Florida law that banned the manufacture, distribution and sale of all lab grown meat, SB 1084, was challenged by the Calfornia startup and focused on the sale of lab-grown chicken. Florida Commissioner of …

phosphate fertilizer

Agricultural Groups Request Revocation of Phosphate Fertilizer Duties

A group of agricultural organizations are requesting the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, to revoke the countervailing duty orders on the importation of phosphate fertilizers. In a letter to Secretary Lutnick, the group highlights that Countervailing duty orders will increase the current economic conditions facing American farmers. The letter states, “Maintaining the phosphate fertilizer CVDs will allow a small set …

southeast

Southeast Legislatures Considering Bills Impacting Agriculture

Legislatures in Alabama and Georgia are considering bills that impact agriculture, while Florida’s legislature has adjourned their regular session dates. The Alabama Legislature is considering several bills including those dealing with healthcare, tethering or confining of dogs, utility tax exemptions, funding of CAFOs, funding the state’s feral swine program, and private property rights bills. On the rural healthcare bill, Alabama …

Agricultural Retailers Association

Agricultural Retailers Association Set Policy Priorities for 2026

The Agricultural Retailers Association has announced their public policy priorities for 2026. According to the ARA, these priorities are “designed to support America’s agricultural retailers, strengthen the nation’s food and input supply chains, and promote science-based, practical policy solutions that keep U.S. agriculture globally competitive.” ARA’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy Richard Gupton said,“ARA’s 2026 policy priorities are built to …

florida

New Farm Bill Announced By House Ag Committee Chairman

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman, G.T. Thompson from Pennsylvania, released a statement this week that said a new farm bill is long overdue and the Farm Food National Security Act of 2026 is being put together. He said it’s an important step forward for providing not only certainty to our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, but we made historical agricultural investments last summer in …

Georgia General Assembly

Georgia General Assembly Working Through Annual Budgets

The Georgia General Assembly continues it’s work in Atlanta and we caught up with Will Bentley with the Georgia Agribusiness Council to get an update on their progress through the session. Bentley said, “We continue to focus on passing the amended budget right now. The Senate just voted to pass their version of FY26 amended budget, looking at the changes that have …

monsanto

Monsanto Proposes Nationwide Class Settlement to Resolve Roundup Claims

Monsanto has announced a nationwide proposed class settlement to resolve Roundup claims alleging non-Hodgkin lymphoma injuries. The proposed settlement is the second since their initial proposed settlement in 2020 and would include the element of a long-term compensation program providing funding for up to 21 years addressing both current and future claimants. According to Bayer, “the long-term payment stream will provide the company with …

Georgia Black Farmers Month

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Signs Proclamation Recognizing February as “Georgia Black Farmers Month”

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has officially signed a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as “Georgia Black Farmers Month,” honoring the vital role Black farmers play in the state’s top industry. The proclamation signing ceremony took place at the Georgia State Capitol and included several state leaders and agricultural advocates. Joining Commissioner Harper were Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, House Agriculture and …