farm bill

Cattle Producers Welcome House Introduction of PRICE Act

Clint Thompson Cattle, Legislative

WASHINGTON (Oct. 1, 2020) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the introduction of bipartisan legislation to improve the marketing environment for cattle producers. Introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD.) and bipartisan cosponsors, the Price Reform in Cattle Economics (PRICE) Act addresses several areas of critical importance for cattle producers across the United States. Included in the bill are existing …

environmental

Congress Agrees to Short-Term Spending Bill

Clint Thompson Legislative

Congress has passed and sent a short-term spending bill to the President that extends government funding until Dec. 11, which includes billions in key funding for agriculture. The temporary spending bill replenishes $30 billion in the Commodity Credit Corporation for farm programs and pandemic relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Many agricultural groups praised passage of the legislation, …

What They’re Saying: Conaway Leads Introduction of Digital Commodity Legislation

Clint Thompson Legislative

Washington, D.C — Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway introduced the Digital Commodity Exchange Act of 2020, legislation that creates a single, opt-in national regulatory framework for digital commodity trading platforms under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).  Co-sponsors of the Digital Commodity Exchange Act (DCEA) include Congressmen Tom Emmer (MN-06), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), David …

House Ag Appropriations Committee Approves 2021 Bill

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative

The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved the fiscal year 2021 agriculture appropriations bill this week. Committee Chairman Sanford Bishop Jr, a Georgia Democrat, says the bill rejects the Trump administration’s drastic cuts and “instead builds on the four COVID-19 supplemental bills Congress passed this spring.” The bill includes total discretionary funding of $23.98 billion, representing a $487 million increase from …

board members

DeSantis Signs Bills on Cleaning Up Waterways

Clint Thompson Florida, Legislative, Water

(NSF) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Tuesday measures that include bigger fines for dumping pollutants into waterways and new rules for septic tanks and agricultural runoff, though environmentalists said the rules don’t go far enough. One of the measures (HB 1091) makes numerous changes in the amounts and duration of penalties for violating environmental laws. The other …

Farm Bureau Says More Farmer Assistance is Necessary

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative

The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking lawmakers to provide more critical resources to farmers hurt by COVID-19’s impact on the food system. It is also looking for more help for rural communities struggling with the pandemic’s impacts. Many of the country’s struggling farmers were left out of the initial round of assistance, while some, who did receive help, are …

Carbon Markets

Growing Climate Solutions Act Promotes Farmer Engagement with Carbon Market

Taylor Hillman Regulation

The bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act that was recently introduced is aimed at addressing climate change concerns by supporting more participation in carbon markets.  The bill would establish a certification program to be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide more efficiency and transparency to the process of carbon trading. Several agricultural industry groups including the American …

dietary guidelines

Stabenow Introduces Food Supply Protection Act

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative

Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced legislation on Wednesday to help protect the food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on farmers, workers, food banks and families. Stabenow, the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee, says, “This bill will help strengthen our food supply.” The Food Supply Protection Act will support food banks and non-profits to help …

fried

$16 Billion in USDA Aid Now Available; Commissioner Fried Urges Farmers to Apply

Clint Thompson Florida, Legislative

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Tallahassee, Fla. – Applications opened on Tuesday for $16 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture financial support through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to help American farmers impacted by COVID-19. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging all eligible Florida farmers and ranchers to apply immediately through their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. …