State agriculture officials announced their priorities for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill discussion. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) will direct its policy advocacy efforts regarding the bill towards ten specific policy areas. During the hybrid 2022 NASDA Winter Policy Conference last week, members laid the foundation for those priorities. They want to focus attention on agriculture …
Florida Senate Passes Revamped Water Bill
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 17, 2022) — With a key lawmaker saying he wanted to clarify and counter “purposeful misinformation,” the Senate on Thursday changed a controversial measure that critics said could affect Everglades restoration projects. The measure (SB 2508) had drawn opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis and critics such as fishing guides who raced to the Capitol to appear in the Senate …
Florida House Passes $105.3 Billion Spending Plan
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 16, 2022) — What would be a record $105.3 billion spending plan bolstered by federal stimulus money was approved Wednesday by the Florida House, helping set up negotiations with the Senate on a final budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The House voted 102-14 to approve the proposal (HB 5001), after Democrats objected to shifting $200 million away from …
Organizations Ask EPA to Withdraw Proposed New WOTUS Rule
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) was one of the organizations asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw their proposed new WOTUS rule. Last week, NPPC signed onto two sets of comments asking the EPA to withdraw it. Submitted by the Waters Action Coalition (WAC), of which NPPC is a member, and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the comments detail …
Florida Lawmakers Discuss Veterinary Telemedicine
Week five of the Florida Legislative Session saw various issues discussed once again, but there is a bill that has been of interest to some in agriculture across the state. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what the bill is about and where it currently stands. The 60 day Florida Legislative session will run until March 11th. Sponsored ContentCommitment …
Alabama Farmers, FFA Members Meet with Elected Officials
As the 2022 Alabama Legislative Session continues, farmers from across the state met with elected officials Wednesday evening over platefuls of Alabama-grown foods during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Taste of Alabama legislative reception in Montgomery. County Farmers Federation presidents and FarmPAC advisory trustees from across the state visited with over 100 elected officials, including over 80 legislators; Supreme Court justices …
Georgia Lawmakers Meet With Various Ag Groups
Week five of the 2022 Georgia State Legislative Session was another busy one for lawmakers, as they spent time this week meeting with various agricultural groups. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley talks about that, and also asks for those involved in agriculture to take part by contacting their legislators to help support a bill currently being considered. To keep …
Climate Change Debate during House Ag Subcommittee Hearing
During a U.S. House Ag Subcommittee hearing this week, Representative Austin Scott of Georgia had a debate with USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie about climate change. Sabrina Halvorson has the story. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement …
NASDA Asks EPA to Suspend Action on WOTUS Rulemaking
As many farm and agriculture groups submitted comments on the EPA’s proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S. rule, The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) asked the EPA to suspend the rule-making process. The comment period on the proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency closed Monday. In NASDA’s comments sent to EPA, CEO Ted McKinney urged …
Florida Lawmakers Discuss Budget Issues Important to Agriculture
Week 4 of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session has wrapped up and in her weekly report Mary Ann Hooks, director of the University of Florida/IFAS (UF/IFAS) Government Affairs, said they are pleased to report that their budget priorities are alive and moving forward. The Senate and the House Appropriations Sub-committees released the first run of the budget numbers, and UF/IFAS looks good in the …