USDA Investing $320 Million to Strengthen Supply Chains

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Funding, This Land of Ours, Trade

The USDA is investing in supply chains. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is investing $320 million to create new and better markets for agricultural producers and food businesses in 19 states across rural America. “Our goal is to expand processing capacity, create fairer markets and more revenue streams and market opportunities to help bring down …

USDA Seeks Fiscal Year 2024 Suggestions for Plant Protection Projects

Dan Agri-Business, This Land of Ours, USDA-APHIS

The USDA wants suggestions for some of next year’s projects. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks input for fiscal year 2024 Plant Protection Act funding to protect American agriculture and natural resources. The open period for submitting suggestions for Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (PPDMDPP) …

Senate Bill Will Address Prop 12

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Legislative, Trade

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall will introduce a bill designed to address California’s Prop 12, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. The Hagstrom Report says Marshall’s bill would stop states from enacting laws that affect agricultural production in other states. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act will preserve the right of states and local governments to regulate agriculture …

Farmer/Congressman Supports Dignity Act for Immigrants

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Regulation

by Sabrina Halvorson As a longtime farmer, John Duarte of California has paid close attention to immigration bills and now as a first-term congressman, he has the opportunity to support one. Congressman Duarte (R-CA) is a co-sponsor of the updated Dignity Act, which was recently reintroduced by a bipartisan group of representatives led by Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and …

Citrus Growers Await Aid as Season Closes

Dan Agri-Business, Citrus, Funding

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 9, 2023) — Florida citrus officials are promoting the “grit of this industry” as the growing season is set to close with the lowest production in nearly a century. But they say growers are getting more anxious while continuing to wait for federal assistance approved after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole uprooted trees and flooded fields last fall. …

IFPA Wants Equity in Farm Bill

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Field Crops, Legislative

by Sabrina Halvorson The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) wants to see more funding for specialty crops in the farm bill. In an interview, IFPA Vice President of U.S. Government Relations, Rebeckah Adcock pointed out the differences in funding for things like fresh produce versus row crops. “All parts of agriculture are important. But since USDA says fruits and vegetables …

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Moves Out of Committee

Dan Agri-Business, Cattle, Dairy, Legislative, Marketing, This Land of Ours

A push for whole milk in schools moves forward. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Committee on Education and the Workforce last week voted to advance a bill restoring whole milk in schools. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 highlights milk’s health benefits and nutrients to young Americans, including better bone health, lower blood …

McKalip Discusses Specialty Crops, GMO Corn, Dairy Trade at Summit

Dan Agri-Business, Corn, Dairy, Specialty Crops, Trade

by Sabrina Halvorson The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is keeping specialty crops in focus for trade deals and working on disputes under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA). Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip touched on those and several other topics while speaking at the Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Summit West, held in Sacramento, California. As for specialty crops, he said the importance …

Funding Questionable for New Specialty Crop Farm Bill Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Legislative, Specialty Crops

by Sabrina Halvorson The specialty crop industry wants farm bill funding for research and new programs, but lawmakers ask, where’s that money coming from? Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says it’s hard to say what is the most important of all the priorities for specialty crops in the …