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 …

$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. …

CFAP Sign-up Starts Today; Secretary Perdue Thanks Farmers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative

Sign-up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) starts today at your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently told AgNet Media that it’s important to get these funds to farmers to help their cash flow. CFAP will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted …

Florida Cabinet Meeting Scheduled

Clint Thompson Florida, Legislative

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet are scheduled to get together next week for their first meeting since the state started feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the News Service of Florida, DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody are slated to meet May 28, according to information …

President Trump on New CFAP Program

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative

During a special presentation at the White House Tuesday, President Trump announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). According to a story from Gary Crawford, the program is designed to help farmers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. CFAP will provide vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a 5%-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19 …

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers Through Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Industry, Legislative

Farmers and Ranchers to Receive Direct Support for Losses Related to COVID-19 Contact: USDA PressEmail: press@oc.usda.gov (Washington, D.C., May 19, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus …

Alabama Cattlemen Tracking Legislative Session

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle, Legislative

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the 2020 Alabama Legislative Session. But state lawmakers did meet to finalize a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Director Erin Beasley explains where things stand with not only the budget, but other bills they have been tracking. For more information, contact the ACA office in Montgomery. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata …

Florida to Receive $23 Million in Aquaculture and Fisheries Assistance via CARES Act Stimulus

Clint Thompson Aquaculture, Florida, Legislative

Tallahassee, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the allocation of $300 million in federal assistance for fisheries provided by the CARES Act stimulus package. These funds will be available for coastal and marine fishery participants negatively affected by COVID–19. Florida will receive $23.6 million of this funding to aid the state’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The Florida Department of …

Bill Would Increase CCC Borrowing Authority

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week would expand the Commodity Credit Corporations annual borrowing authority. The legislation from Republican Representative Austin Scott of Georgia would raise the CCC’s borrowing authority from $30 billion to $68 billion. Scott says the move would give the Department of Agriculture greater flexibility to maintain farm bill programs that support …

Groups Ask Treasury Secretary to Guard Against Further Ag Consolidation

Clint Thompson Legislative

A coalition consisting of 68 farmer, environmental, and antitrust groups across the country sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on consolidation. They’re asking him to ensure that pandemic relief funds do not lead to the further consolidation of the food and agriculture industry. The letter asks Mnuchin to invest the stimulus funds in farming systems that lift farmers …