The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations held a hearing on the Farm Bill last week, with a focus on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – or SNAP. Food and nutrition programs account for more than 75 percent of the funds in the farm bill. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA) commented on the scrutiny given to SNAP applicants. …
Senate Ag Subcommittee Discusses Impacts of Western Drought
The Senate Ag Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources took up the topic of the Western Drought during a recent hearing. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado opened the hearing with comments on the situation of drought in his state and how it’s affecting the Colorado River. “My state sits at the headwaters of the Colorado River, which starts …
U.S. Peanut Federation Discusses Trade with Lawmakers
This week the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF), which serves as a unified voice in Washington, D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry, took part in a sub-committee hearing to discuss trade issues. Tyron Spearman has more details. USPF is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. U.S. Peanut Federation …
DeSantis Vetoes Controversial Everglades Bill
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/June 8, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a controversial measure tied to Everglades restoration that, even after being watered down during the legislative session, continued to draw concerns about potential wetlands destruction. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, pushed to pass the bill (SB 2508) during the session that ended in March. DeSantis criticized an initial version, leading …
Cattle, Water Industry Reps Gives Insights During First WOTUS Roundtable
WOTUS is in the spotlight once again. Cattle producers representing several states voiced their concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing Waters of the U.S. rulemaking attempt at a roundtable organized by the Kansas Livestock Association. “Very important to our members are clarity with jurisdictional rules. We supported the navigable waters protection rule in particular …
Fried Says Florida Cabinet Meeting Canceled
(TALLAHASSEE, FL/NSF) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Tuesday her office was notified that Gov. Ron DeSantis canceled a scheduled June 28 meeting of the Florida Cabinet and a June 29 meeting of the state Board of Executive Clemency. The governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Fried, the only Democrat on the Cabinet and a candidate …
Stabenow on Senate Ag Committee Work
As the senate continues to work on the next farm bill, Senate agriculture committee chair Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says she’s looking forward to their hearing in Arkansas next week, and the work that comes after. “And then we will begin what is a really important—a thoughtful step-by-step set of hearings through each of the titles of the farm bill …
ANCW Members Discuss Issues with Lawmakers during Fly-In
Last month, the American National CattleWomen (ANCW) participated in a fly-in event to Washington D.C. ANCW President, Reba Mazak from Sumter County, Florida, told Southeast AgNet they worked with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association staff there in setting up meetings with various lawmakers. And she explains what they discussed with lawmakers while in our nation’s capital. Reba noted it is critical for …
DeSantis Signs Florida Budget, Vetoes $3.13 Billion
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF) — Pointing to a need to further brace the state against a potential recession, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued $3.13 billion in vetoes Thursday as he signed a record $109.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1. Among the large vetoes were $650 million for a new 4,500-bed prison; $195 million for construction of a prison …
Senator Boozman Discusses Farm Bill
Legislators are turning their focus to preparing the next farm bill. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) says the farm bill is important because agriculture is important. “One of the problems that we got with agriculture is the fact that very few people are directly, or even indirectly, related to the farm,” he said. “It’s very different than …