(Tallahassee/NSF/October 21, 2021) — Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday called for a special legislative session next month to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The exact dates of the special session are not yet known; however, lawmakers are scheduled to be in Tallahassee for committee meetings the weeks of November 1st, 15th …
EPA, Army Announce Regional Roundtables on WOTUS
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army are calling on communities to propose roundtables to provide input on the implications of the new “WOTUS” rule. The regional roundtables will engage stakeholders representing many perspectives in important conversations designed to help the agency work to develop an enduring definition of the “Waters of the U.S. Rule” that …
House Ag Committee Dems Want Ag Spending Preserved
House Ag Committee Chair David Scott and fellow Democrats sent a letter to House and Senate leadership asking them to preserve the ag spending provisions in the Build Back Better Act. They point out that the provisions included in the agriculture portion of the Build Back Better Act will make transformative investments that will benefit agricultural producers and rural communities …
AFBF: No Methane Tax on Animals in Reconciliation Bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation, addressing a social media myth, says “the current language of the reconciliation bill does not impose a methane tax on agriculture.” Those words from AFBF’s Public Affairs Vice President Sam Kieffer, who says the statement seeks to clear up any confusion. Kieffer says that over the summer, Farm Bureau economists conducted an analysis, at the …
Congress Continues Budgeting Efforts in Washington
Congress continues working on a reconciliation package which does have implications for agriculture. Tyron Spearman reports hopes are to see something passed yet this week. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025
Florida Lawmakers Seek Answers on Black Farmer Marijuana License
(Tallahassee/NSF) — Black farmers in Florida have waited more than four years to vie for a license to participate in the state’s lucrative medical-marijuana industry. But it’s still unknown exactly how much longer they’ll have to continue to bide their time. Under the state’s medical marijuana law, one license must go to a grower who had been part of settled lawsuits …
Ag Disasters Funding Included in House Stop-Gap Funding Bill Facing Senate GOP Filibuster
House Democrats included billions for Ag disaster aid in their stop-gap government funding bill that passed on a party-line vote, but that now faces a Senate GOP filibuster over its debt limit hike. The stop-gap spending bill to avert a government shutdown October first passed on a partisan 220-211 vote, despite Democrats including billions for Ag and other disasters. Here …
DeLauro introduces Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro this week introduced the Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act. The Connecticut Democrat says the legislation will increase and improve the Department of Agriculture’s procurement of fresh fruits and vegetables. The bill would require USDA to partner with growers, distributors, and food hubs to provide fresh, U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables to community organizations like schools, …
NCC Following Committee Markup Process in the House
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives continue their committee markup process to develop the individual pieces of the budget reconciliation bill that will be assembled in the coming weeks. Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council (NCC), Reece Langley, has more details on the agriculture specific provisions. Langley also explains what is not in the House agriculture package …
“No” to Immigration Reform – Ag Labor in Limbo?
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled against the Democrats’ plan to provide eight million green cards as a part of their $3.5 trillion spending bill. The Hill says that decision makes getting immigration reform to President Biden’s desk that much harder. MacDonough’s guidance all but closes the door on Democrats’ chances to be able to use the spending bill as a …