GAC Members Address Policy Issues on Capitol Hill

Several members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) recently took part in the GAC Washington Legislative Fly-In, where important issues impacting Georgia agribusinesses were discussed. Visits included agriculture policy advisers at the White House, leadership from USDA, members of the Georgia Congressional delegation as well as the UGA Ag Fellows who are interning with Georgia representatives. Some of the issues discussed while …

USDA/AMS Announces New Fees for Warehouses

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced fees it charges warehouse operators will increase by about 10 percent on October 1, 2019. Tyron Spearman has the details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through the Florida Cattle …

New Florida Laws Take Effect

Florida’s record $90.98 billion spending plan for next fiscal year and more than 100 new laws officially hits the books July 1, 2019. According to the News Service of Florida, the new laws passed by the Legislature this spring and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, deal with a variety of issues. Items of interest to agriculture in the state include: …

Members of Georgia Delegation Urge Timely, Effective Implementation of Disaster Relief Funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to encourage the Trump administration to work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to ensure that farmers affected by Hurricane Michael receive needed aid as soon as possible. They applauded Secretary Perdue for his support of disaster aid legislation signed into …

Senators Perdue, Merkley Lead Bipartisan Effort To Ease Burdens On Agricultural Trucking

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) are leading a bipartisan effort to level the playing field for the transportation of agricultural products. The Agricultural Trucking Relief Act will expand the definition of an “agricultural commodity” to include horticultural and aquacultural products, promote consistency across all federal and state agencies, and ease regulatory burdens on the trucking industry. …

Education about Agriculture Needed for New Lawmakers

This week, U.S. Congressman Filemon Vela (D) of Texas told the USA Peanut  Congress, the level of expertise on agriculture is getting narrower in Washington. He said educating newer members of Congress before the next Farm Bill is key to the future of any legislation. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For …

Florida Governor Signs Hemp Bill

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been busy signing various bills the past few days, one of those being SB 1020. This bill creates the state hemp program that will be administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The program will regulate cultivation of hemp, addressing issues such as the licensing of growers. According to the News Service …

USDA Farm Bill Implementation Progress Update

Washington, D.C., – (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced an update on the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20, 2018, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementing key programs. In addition, USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public specific to …

Summer Passage of USMCA Looking Doubtful

(NAFB) — Key lawmakers in Washington, D.C. cast significant doubt on the possibility of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) getting passed through Congress yet this summer. This comes in spite of the fact that political pressure is ramping up. Congress has a long summer recess rapidly approaching. Politico says it’s looking like Democrats are sticking to their ideas that the …