Last week, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the state of U.S. black farmers. Committee Chairman David Scott from Georgia said the hearing will lead to future anti-discrimination legislation. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says American agriculture needs much more diversity. The new American Rescue Plan introduced by the Biden administration does include steps to help address discrimination …
Florida Lawmakers Begin Budget Process
When it comes to the 2021 Florida Legislative session, the budget process has begun. According to University of Florida/IFAS Director of Governmental Affairs, Mary Ann Hooks, both the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees released the first version of their budget proposals this week. She notes fortunately, UF/IFAS did not receive any reductions to existing programs in the Senate subcommittee budget proposal. Plus, …
House Ag Hearing Focuses on Black Farmers
(NAFB) — The U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a historic hearing Thursday reviewing the state of Black farmers in the United States. The hearing detailed decades of systemic racism and discrimination against Black Farmers by the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers, “We will over the next four years do everything we can to root out whatever …
Georgia Legislative Session Nearing the End
Week eleven of the 2021 Georgia State Legislative Session was another busy one, as lawmakers prepare to wrap things up for another year. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley has an update on some of the bills they’ve been watching closely throughout the session. And Bentley also has an update about the GAC virtual annual meeting that was held …
House Passes Ag Workforce Bill
(NAFB) — “Farmworkers are vital to the wellbeing of our country and our economy,” says President Joe Biden. “For generations, farmworkers across America, many of whom aren’t in the country legally, have worked countless hours to feed our nation and ensure our communities are healthy and strong.” He says that’s even more clear because of COVID-19. Democrat Zoe Lofgren of …
Right to Farm Bill Clears Florida Senate
Thursday, during the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, a proposal to help shield farmers from nuisance lawsuits was approved by the Florida Senate. Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, explains what Senate Bill 88 does. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
‘Right to Farm’ Expansion Clears Senate
(NSF) — A proposal to help shield farmers from “nuisance” lawsuits was approved Thursday by the Florida Senate, as some critics contend it is intended to protect the sugar industry around Lake Okeechobee. A priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, the measure (SB 88) was approved in a 37-1 vote. It would expand Florida’s “Right to Farm” law, which …
NCBA Endorses Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety Act of 2021
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) endorsed the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021 on Wednesday. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Sen. Fischer (R-NE), Sen. Tester (D-MT), Sen. Wicker (R-MS), and Sen. Smith (D-MN) and would deliver flexibility for livestock haulers. “One year after COVID-19 began to disrupt daily life across the country, U.S. cattle …
‘Right to Farm’ Expansion Gets House Support
(NSF) — A priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson to give farmers more protection from “nuisance” lawsuits started to move forward Wednesday in the House. Over the objections of environmentalists who contend the proposal is intended to protect the sugar industry around Lake Okeechobee, the House Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee voted 14-4 to support a measure (HB 1601) …
Legislation Introduced to Repeal Federal Estate Tax
Federal lawmakers have introduced legislation that would repeal the federal estate tax, often referred to as the death tax. U.S. Senator John Thune and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop and Jason Smith recently introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021. The bipartisan legislation has the support of nearly 150 lawmakers in both houses of Congress. Multiple agricultural groups have also …