The pace of talks to resume U.S. beef exports to China appears to be picking up. Final details are expected to be in place by early next month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it’s great news for American farmers who will be able to pursue business in China that’s been lost by a rival beef producer, Brazil. As a …
EPA Is The Top Target for Budget Cuts
Candidate Donald Trump vowed to get rid of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in virtually every way, leaving only tidbits of what it once was. A Washington Post article says his budget proposal aims to follow through on that campaign promise. The proposed budget from the White House hits the EPA with a 31 percent budget cut, down to $5.65 …
White House Budget Proposal Cuts Ag Spending $46 Billion
A Reuters report says President Trump’s budget proposal contains $46.54 billion in cuts to government funding in the Ag sector, with those cuts spread out over ten years. The biggest proposed cut is $38 billion dollars from farm support programs. Those cuts include new limits on federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums and a cap on potential commodity program payments. …
Ag Groups Respond to White House Budget Cuts
President Trump’s Budget is an Assault on the Farm Safety Net and Rural Communities, National Farmers Union Says President Donald J. Trump issued the detailed fiscal year 2018 federal budget proposal, recommending drastic cuts to agricultural and rural related agencies and programs. The proposal would cut Farm Bill programs by nearly $230 billion and slash the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
Valenstein Chosen as State Environmental Chief
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida With Gov. Rick Scott describing him as “passionate about the environment,” Noah Valenstein was named Tuesday as Florida’s next environmental secretary after a short interview with Scott and members of the state Cabinet. Valenstein, a former Scott aide who is executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, will take over at …
Proposed Ag Budget Fails Farmers, Ranchers, Farm Bureau President Says
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau Federation and its members are concerned about the federal budget deficit. However, we also know that agriculture has done its fair share to help reduce the deficit. Going back to the early 1980s, agriculture often has been targeted to generate budget savings, from …
State Preserves More than 5,000 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Ranch Lands
The Governor and Cabinet approved the preservation of 5,211 acres of environmentally sensitive ranch lands in Okeechobee and Highlands counties through cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchases are a part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, where the state partners with …
Conaway, Roberts React to Administration’s FY2018 Budget Proposal
Following the release of the Trump administration’s FY 2018 budget proposal, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) issued the joint statement below: “We support the Trump administration’s goal of achieving three percent economic growth for our nation. USDA’s latest estimates find agriculture, food, and related industries contribute $992 billion to …
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on the Proposed FY 2018 Budget
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue issued the following statement on the proposed FY 2018 budget: “President Trump promised he would realign government spending, attempt to eliminate duplication or redundancy and see that all government agencies are efficiently delivering services to the taxpayers of America. And that’s exactly what we are going to do at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Having …
Governor Scott Appoints Noah Valenstein as Secretary of DEP
Governor Rick Scott appointed, and the Florida Cabinet approved, as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Governor Scott said, “Throughout his entire career, Noah has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to protecting our state’s incredible and diverse natural treasures. As a native Floridian, Noah knows firsthand how important our natural resources are to our families and visitors, …