(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 10, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans Tuesday to spend $3.5 billion in his second term on environmental projects such as restoring the Everglades and addressing water-quality problems. “This may be a bigger, more comprehensive executive order than we did four years ago. But I think that’s the right thing to do,” DeSantis, who was re-elected in …
Zippy Duvall Opens 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention General Session
(AFBF/Puerto Rico/Jan. 8, 2023) — American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall Opened 2023 AFBF Convention General Session this morning with an inspiring speech highlighting some of the great work the Farm Bureau family is doing throughout the country. Thank you! Good morning! Welcome to San Juan! I hope you’re having a good time enjoying the beauty that God …
State Farm Bureaus Honored for Excellence in Programs and Membership Achievement
The American Farm Bureau Federation presented awards to state Farm Bureaus at the organization’s 104th Convention, which runs through Jan. 11. The awards recognize excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2022. Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana and North Carolina earned the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state Farm Bureau can be awarded for program and membership …
United States and Taiwan to Hold Trade Negotiations
The United States and Taiwan will hold an in-person negotiating round for the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade in Taipei. The negotiations are under the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. The next round of talks is scheduled for January 14-17. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office will lead the U.S. …
2023 American Farm Bureau Convention Kicks Off Today
(AFBF/SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 6, 2023) — The 2023 American Farm Bureau Convention is officially underway. The convention is being held Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a virtual option for portions of the event available. Anchoring this year’s event is an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers. AFBF President Zippy Duvall will give his annual address to Farm Bureau members …
World’s First Agriculture-Focused Satellite Launches
The first of seven satellites for agriculture launched into space Tuesday by SpaceX. Built by Dragonfly Aerospace, the satellite is part of the Transporter-6 mission for customer EOS Data Analytics. The remaining six satellites of the constellation will be deployed over the next three years. The EOS Data Analytics project is the world’s first agriculture-focused satellite constellation providing the industry …
Baby Formula Imports Face Tariffs Again in 2023
Baby formula importers face changes again this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Baby formula imports into the U.S. will be subject to tariffs again this year as the exemptions implemented during a nationwide shortage are scheduled to expire. Reuters says the shortage began during supply chain issues brought on by COVID, and those issues began to …
U.S. Beef Exports to East Asia on a Record Pace
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) released a report titled “U.S. Beef Exports to East Asia on a Record Pace.” Despite economic uncertainties brought on by COVID, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, American exports to East Asia were outstanding in the first half of 2022 in terms of value and volume. The report says, …
Important Ag Provisions in the Omnibus Bill
President Biden signed the omnibus spending package into law that diverts a government shutdown and keeps it running until September 30, 2023. The bill with more than 4,000 pages contains many notable items important to U.S. farmers and ranchers. The bill includes $3.7 billion in disaster funding for crop and livestock losses due to drought and other problems in 2022. …
U.S. Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Bill
Includes USPF Supported Peanut Projects (USPF/Jan. 3, 2023/Washington, D.C.) — The U.S. Congress has passed the $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 consists of all 12 FY23 appropriation bills, including the $25.5 billion Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill. Included in the bill are peanut provisions …