The National Farmers Union says twenty beginning farmers and ranchers from across the United States will participate in the 2018-2019 Beginning Farmers Institute Program. The institute is designed to help the next generation of farmers to succeed by providing mentorship, technical training, as well as leadership development for participants. NFU President Roger Johnson says his group is happy to welcome …
USDA Launches Interactive Map of Opioid Epidemic Resources
The USDA recently launched a new interactive feature on its website to help rural communities combat the opioid epidemic in rural America. There’s a new interactive map available on the rural opioid misuse webpage. The map is designed to help visitors learn more about, access, and replicate actions that other rural leaders are taking in small towns across the country …
Gov. Ivey Signed a Proclamation Encouraging Beef for Father’s Day
Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation Wednesday, May 30 encouraging Alabamians to eat beef for Father’s Day. The Beef for Father’s Day campaign began in 1955 as the first beef promotion effort of the newly-formed Alabama CowBelles Association. A gubernatorial proclamation has been signed each year since along with a presentation of steaks to the governor in office. Pictured L-R …
U.S. Senate Ag Committee passes 2018 Farm Bill
Peanut farmers support the legislation The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry marked up the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and delivered on promises for bipartisan legislation from Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan. The farm bill as it is more commonly known, passed through committee today with a 20-1 vote. “We are …
Certainty with Senate Farm Bill
The Senate Ag Committee passed a bipartisan farm bill in under three-hours Wednesday, adding just a handful of amendments. The 20-1 vote was in stark contrast to the purely partisan effort in the House Ag Committee. In a joint statement, Committee leaders Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow said the bipartisan farm bill process “is a reminder of how things should work …
Trump Set to Launch Tariffs Against China
President Donald Trump could impose tariffs on Chinese good Friday, or perhaps next week, according to Politico. Sources say the imminent move faces a Friday deadline for publishing a final list of goods that will be hit with the 25 percent tariff. However, the order for the products list deadline does not offer a timeline on when the tariffs will …
Grassley Owns Lone Committee Vote Against Senate Farm Bill
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was the only member of the Senate Agriculture Committee to vote against the farm bill during Wednesday’s markup session. Grassley aired-out two concerns to the committee that led to his vote against the otherwise bipartisan bill. Grassley sought stronger payment limits to farmers in the bill, an idea he has long-supported. During a speech earlier this …
Farm Bureau: Farmers Buoyed by Senate Farm Bill Vote
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farmers and ranchers welcome the markup and passage of the farm bill by the Senate Agriculture Committee. Low commodity prices, rising interest rates and an uncertain future for exports hang heavy over America’s farm and ranch land. But today’s vote means light on the horizon. We know …
Governor and Cabinet Surpass 50K Florida Acres Preserved Through RFLPP
The Governor and Cabinet approved the preservation of more than 8,300 acres through four cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchases are part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP), where the state partners with Florida’s farmers and ranchers to preserve active …
Bipartisan Farm Bill Passed by Senate Ag Committee
Delivering on a promise, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., are pleased to announce the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 was favorably reported out of the Committee with bipartisan support. Commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, the bipartisan 5-year legislation encompasses a broad array of agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. …