by Lloyd Dunkelberger News Service of Florida Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman entered the race for state agriculture commissioner on Monday, priming his Republican bid for a Cabinet seat with $2.5 million of his own money. “For two decades, I’ve been building a business and continuing my work in Florida agriculture,” Troutman, of Winter Haven, said in a statement. “Real …
No Override for Cuts to UF/IFAS Budget
When the Florida Legislature wrapped up its special session last Friday, some things survived the governor’s veto pen, but others didn’t. And that included cuts to the University of Florida/IFAS budget. According to Sydney Stone, legislative assistant for the University of Florida/IFAS Governmental Affairs, while the legislature did override some $60 million in cuts to higher education, it could not …
Ag Trade Programs Affected by Proposed Budget Cuts
Many agricultural groups recently responded to the White House’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, which slashed a variety of programs that many in agriculture depend on. And Steve Mercer, vice president of communications for U.S. Wheat Associates, explains what two of those programs are. Congress has the proposed USDA budget for next fiscal year, and thus he encourages producers to …
Give Your Input on NAFTA Renegotiations
As released on May 18, the Trump administration is moving forward with its intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). According to the amended Trade Act of 1974, any time a newly proposed trade agreement comes about, all interested persons have an opportunity to present their views on it. Now is the time to submit comments regarding …
Florida Lawmakers Continue to Work on Budget
The Florida Legislative Special Session continues today in Tallahassee. In action taking place this week, the Florida Senate did vote to override vetoes of some $75 million in higher-education projects. A group of Florida 4-H youth and supporters were at the state capitol Wednesday hoping to encourage lawmakers to override Governor Scott’s veto of Florida 4-H funding. The Governor’s veto …
Education Funding Struggles in Florida Session
The Florida Legislature is meeting for a special session June 7–10 to resolve funding that was not agreed upon during the regular 2017 session. The funding issues include dollars toward the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) as well as the Florida 4-H program, which Governor Rick Scott vetoed during the regular session. The Florida 4-H …
Urging Legislators to Support a Farm Bill for the Future
Fresh on the heels of a legislative victory in Minnesota, where passage of a tax credit bill gives young farmers better access to land, the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) converges in Washington, D.C to advocate for a 2018 Farm Bill that renews rural economies and enables a new generation of farmers to grow the nation’s food supply. “These …
Hearing on Farm Bill Continues
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee will hold another farm bill hearing Wednesday morning, as Committee Chairman Mike Conaway announced the hearing, titled The Next Farm Bill: The Future of International Food Aid and Agricultural Development. Chairman Conaway said the committee has long planned to continue reviewing international food aid programs as it works toward developing the next farm bill. Now …
House Ag Committee Plans Another Farm Bill Hearing
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee will hold another farm bill hearing this week. Texas Republican and Committee Chairman Mike Conaway announced the hearing, titled The Next Farm Bill: The Future of International Food Aid and Agricultural Development. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Chairman Conaway says the committee has long planned to continue reviewing international food aid programs as …
BREAKING NEWS: Special Session Set for Budget Deal
From News Service of Florida Florida lawmakers will hold a special session next week after Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced Friday they have reached the outline of a budget deal. The three-day session is scheduled to start Wednesday. Lawmakers passed an $82.4 billion budget on May 8, but Scott was angered by …