This week, a coalition of 131 groups representing farmers, the food system, the environment, animal welfare, and antimonopoly advocacy called on Congress to restore accountability and transparency to commodity checkoff programs by supporting inclusion of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act (S.557 and H.R.1249) in the 2023 Farm Bill. Checkoff programs are funded through mandatory fees on farmers and ranchers producing …
A Remarkable Boost in Funding for USDA Conservation Next Year
The USDA conservation budget for next year could see what the Agriculture Secretary calls a “remarkable” increase. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle …
AgNet Weekly: Court Ruling on WOTUS; Black Vulture Relief Act Introduced
This week, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Council Mary-Thomas Hart talks about the latest development in the WOTUS saga, after a split ruling in Texas. We also talk to Sigrid Johannes, director of government affairs for NCBA and the Public Lands Council, about the Black Vulture Relief Act. Each week, we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting …
Florida Lawmakers Release Budgets
Week three of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session saw lawmakers from both the House and Senate releasing their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, notes the two preliminary budgets don’t quite mirror each other. To learn more, contact the FCA office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle …
Agriculture Watching Movement of Bills in Georgia Legislature
Week eleven of the Georgia Legislature was busy one, with lawmakers working to push certain bills through. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley says that includes one they’ve been tracking all session. The last day of the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session is scheduled to be no later than March 30. Keep track of any of the bills during the …
U.S. Peanut Federation Joins Ag Groups Urging Help from Budget Committee
We told you yesterday that various agricultural groups are asking the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees for help this year. Tyron Spearman reports that one of those groups is the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF). Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work …
NCBA Concerned with District Court Decision to Let Harmful WOTUS Rule Stand
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) expressed strong disappointment this week in a decision by the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas to deny a nationwide preliminary injunction that would have halted the Biden administration’s harmful Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule from taking effect. “This latest WOTUS rule will place more burdens on family farms and ranches, …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Simpson, Lawmakers Announce Proposal to Prohibit Local Special Assessments on Agricultural Lands
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 21, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, State Senator Jay Collins, State Representative Kaylee Tuck, and agriculture stakeholders announced a legislative proposal to prohibit local governments from levying special assessments on Florida agricultural lands. “All too often, our residents and decision makers take for granted Florida’s agricultural abundance, and believe that a safe, affordable, and abundant food …
Bill Introduced to Provide Clean Drinking Water for Rural Americans
A new bill would help rural Americans get clean drinking water. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins introduced the bipartisan Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act. Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and Collins, a Maine Republican, say the bill will provide water testing and treatment technology grants directly to …
Florida Cattlemen Visit Lawmakers in Tallahassee
Week two of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session saw lawmakers talking to cattle ranchers from across the state. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what FCA members discussed while in Tallahassee. To learn more, contact the FCA office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle …