Stabenow Expresses Concerns with EPA Scientist Dismissals

The ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee has expressed concerns over the dismissal of scientists by the Environmental Protection Agency. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow specifically voiced her concerns over EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s move to dismiss nine members of the Board of Scientific Counselors, a major scientific review board within the agency. The board reviews the research carried out …

Senate Ag to Hold Farm Economy Hearing

The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on the farm economy conditions Thursday, May 25th. Announced by leadership of the committee, Senators Pat Roberts, and Debbie Stabenow, the hearing is titled “Examining the Farm Economy: Perspectives on Rural America.” The hearing is recognized as the start of the Senate Agriculture Committee farm bill hearings. It follows two “boots on …

Trump Plan to Balance Budget Includes Farm Subsidy Cuts

A budget plan President Donald Trump is expected to submit to Congress Tuesday includes steep cuts to farm subsidies, according to Bloomberg News. The 2018 budget proposal, which would begin the process of balancing the budget within ten years, would make cuts to mandatory spending on an array of social programs while sparing the Social Security and Medicare entitlement programs. …

Canada and Mexico React Cautiously to NAFTA Letter

Canada and Mexico issued carefully worded statements following the announcement letter outlining President Donald Trump’s intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was sent to Congress, according to the Hagstrom Report. Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland said: “We are at a critical juncture that offers us an opportunity to determine how we can best align …

Alabama Farmers Fare Well in Legislative Session

Farmers and forest owners fared well in the 2017 regular session of the Alabama Legislature, which was marked by a leadership change in the governor’s office. The Legislature adjourned for the session Friday evening. Alabama Farmers Federation priorities included passage of bills enhancing irrigation tax credits and the Farm-to-School program, as well as funding for the Concentrated Animal Feed Operation …

$4.7 Million to Support University Agricultural Science Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $4.7 million in available funding to support agricultural science programs at non-land-grant universities. Funding is made through NIFA’s Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program (NLGCA). “Colleges and universities with strong agricultural science programs need support so they can address our nation’s challenges to …

NCC: Maintaining NAFTA Benefits is Crucial

The National Cotton Council says the United States must remain a participant in a vibrant North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) because it has been and can continue to be a very positive trading platform for U.S. agriculture, including cotton and textiles. NCC Chairman Ronnie Lee said the NAFTA trading partners of Canada and Mexico are significant markets for United …