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 …
Georgia Agribusiness Council Holds Annual Meeting
Week four of the 2022 Georgia State Legislative Session was a busy one for committee meetings in Atlanta. Also, the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) held their Annual Meeting and State Legislative Breakfast. GAC Director of Government Affairs, Jake Tench, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they had a good crowd for both events. To keep track of any of the bills mentioned by Tench, or …
Groups Ready to Help with Developing New Farm Bill
Officials in Washington, D.C., are gearing up to debate reauthorizing the next farm bill in 2023. One group of grower-leaders intends to be a valuable resource for both corn growers and policymakers. The Risk Management and Transportation Action Team is a group that oversees much of the National Corn Growers Association’s public policy work on transportation, the farm safety net, …
Florida Legislative Session Week Three Update
The Florida Legislature has basically wrapped up week three of the 2022 session, and Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs Sam Ard explains why it was a busy week for lawmakers, but not a lot took place for those in agriculture. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity …
Georgia Legislative Issues Starting to Take Shape
Week three of the 2022 Georgia State Legislative Session has been another busy one, as lawmakers continue to debate a variety of issues in Atlanta. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman things are starting to take shape as they move through the session. Bentley also would like to pass along a reminder that the …
‘Heartland’ Water Funding Plan Backed
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/January 26, 2022) — A Senate panel Wednesday approved a plan that would provide $20 million a year to help protect the headwaters of waterways in Central Florida, despite continued concerns from environmental groups about the source of the money. The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee approved the bill (SB 1400), sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills. …
Growers Discuss Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire in 2023, so preparations are underway to craft the behemoth legislation into law sometime next year. However, it is common for negotiations to extend into the following year. Whether the new farm bill is passed in 2023 or 2024, there’s a lot of work ahead. The farm bill was the focus of …
Florida Lawmakers Talk Broadband and Immigration
Lawmakers Look to Boost Broadband in Rural Areas (NSF/TALLAHASSEE/January 24, 2022) — Florida lawmakers are looking to use at least $400 million in federal stimulus money to to help broadband providers expand services to mostly rural, underserved areas. But don’t expect to see the money reduce rates for customers. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday unanimously supported measures …
Vilsack Already Thinking about Next Farm Bill
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke before the House Agriculture Committee last week and brought up the next farm bill. The Hagstrom Report says he wants the committee to use the next bill to help him move rural America from an “extractive economy” to a “circular economy.” He says a circular economy is one where the wealth stays as the opportunity …