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 …
Alabama 2022 Farm Legislation a Win for Agriculture
Alabama’s 2022 state legislative season was a success for agriculture with the passage of key bills. “I would say overall we were very happy with how it went. We had some priorities that we called the farm package here at the Alabama Farmers Federation, and all of that was successful,” said Blake Thaxton, a director with the Alabama Farmers Federation. …
House Ag Advances Key Bills
While key bills ranging from boosting EQIP funding and domestic fertilizer production to increasing meat processing competition moved through House Ag Committee this week, one that moved through is highly controversial. Passed by only a near party-line vote, the “Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act” is sponsored by Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger. “We have already seen that for two-years now, …
Vilsack: ‘Don’t Lose Sight of Farm Families’
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made a plea to the Senate Ag Appropriations Committee in an effort to get help for the nation’s farmers and ranchers who are struggling. The committee met this week to review President Biden’s budget proposal for the Department of Agriculture. “I represented farmers during the 1980s as a small-town lawyer. I can tell you the pain. I can …
Senate Committee Passes WRDA 2022
Last week, the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed its Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022). WRDA provides improvements for the nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. It’s good news for farmers who transport their crops through the infrastructure system and will allow them to remain competitive …
Rep. Scott Visits Georgia Rodale Institute Farm
Congressman David Scott of Georgia’s 13th district is joining the Rodale Institute, local farmers, researchers, and business owners in an event May 4 that highlights the role of regenerative organic agriculture. Chairman Scott and stakeholders will discuss the research being conducted in Georgia and its prospective uses for farmers, the supply chain, and the climate. Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated …
EPA Sending Biofuel Blending Mandates to White House This Week
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to send the long-awaited 2020-2022 biofuel blending mandates to the White House early this week. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the White House would then be working through a final review of the numbers. The EPA released a proposed rule in December, but it’s not known whether the mandates sent …