Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran would be banned from owning U.S. agricultural land under legislation just advanced by a House panel. It was the second try for House appropriators after they failed last year to get the Senate to agree to a ban on foreign ownership of U.S. ag land for the key U.S. foes in the annual USDA …
Keep Kids Fed Act Passed in Both Chambers of Congress
A bill to help keep kids fed moves forward. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The House and Senate each passed the Keep Kids Fed Act this month, but the bill had to return to the House because the Senate version was slightly different. The Hagstrom Report says the House passed the Senate’s version of the bill that …
Clear Definitions Needed for WOTUS
We continue our series on the Southeast region roundtable on the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule. In June of last year, the EPA and ACE announced their intention to rewrite the rule. It is a concern for farmers, ranchers, and agriculture groups around the nation. The North Carolina Farm Bureau organized a roundtable …
NMPF’s Bleiberg: Farm Bill Cultivation Time Is Now
With Congressional hearings already taking place, many agricultural groups are discussing their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. And that includes the National Milk Producers Federation. NMPF Senior Vice President for Government Relations, Paul Bleiberg, updates where things currently stand in efforts to put together a new bill. But, with congressional elections and redistricting taking place in some areas, many worry …
Rep. Thompson on Priorities for Agriculture, Climate
Priorities for agriculture and the climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The House Agriculture Committee recently discussed The Role of Climate Research in Agricultural Resiliency.” Ranking Member, Representative Glenn G.T. Thompson gave his four guiding principles on the matter. “Climate policies need to benefit producers, our farmers, our ranchers, and foresters primarily. Whatever we do when it …
Discussion on Water Regulations at Southeast WOTUS Roundtable
We continue our coverage of the Southeast Region Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) roundtable, which was coordinated by the North Carolina Farm Bureau with the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. Farmers and other representatives from several southeast states took part. Pete Hunter is a 50-year farmer from Mississippi and was asked to participate on behalf of the Mississippi …
Southeast WOTUS Roundtable 1
Roundtables continue on the topic of the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. In June of last year, the EPA and ACE announced their intention to rewrite the rule. It is a concern for farmers, ranchers, and agriculture groups around the nation. The government agencies agreed to allow ten regional roundtable discussions with …
House Agriculture Committee Discusses Dairy Farm Bill Programs
The House Agriculture Committee met Wednesday to discuss dairy provisions in the Farm Bill. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott (D-GA) says while the creation of the Dairy Margin Coverage program in the last farm bill has provided beneficial improvements, lawmakers must continue to ensure the dairy industry has a safety net that works. “This program provides more comprehensive coverage …
Florida Cabinet Slated to Meet in August
Last week, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said her office was notified that Gov. Ron DeSantis canceled the scheduled June 28 meeting of the Florida Cabinet and a June 29 meeting of the state Board of Executive Clemency. Fried, who has frequently clashed with DeSantis over Cabinet-related issues, criticized the cancellation. But according to the Cabinet website, a meeting has been …
NPPC Welcomes Biden Administration Siding with Farmers on Prop 12
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) welcomed a Supreme Court brief filed by the Biden administration in favor of ag groups regarding California’s Proposition 12. The state law seeks to ban the sale of pork from pigs that do not meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, including pork from pigs raised on farms outside of California. NPPC assistant vice president and general …