Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on opportunities for small businesses within the cannabis industry. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried submitted a statement to committee chairwoman U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez for entry into the Congressional Record. Below is the statement in full, which can also be viewed on Twitter. Statement of the Honorable Nicole “Nikki” FriedU.S. House Committee …
NCC on MFP and Ag Appropriations
It was almost four weeks ago that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they would be implementing some $16 billion in programs to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. This includes the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which is currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The National Cotton Council (NCC) VP of Washington …
USMCA: Trudeau Heads to Washington
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Washington, D.C. this week, as part of an effort to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trade deal has the least path of resistance in Mexico, where lawmakers are expected to ratify the agreement this month. The trade deal also faces a quick route to passage in Canada, leaving passage in the U.S. …
Jack Payne Announces Retirement
After serving nearly 10 years as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Jack Payne announced he will retire next year. His last day with UF/IFAS will be July 1, 2020. Payne has overseen Extension offices across Florida and its 12 research and education centers since …
House to Vote on Spending Bills
The U.S. House plans to vote soon on a large package of spending bills, including the fiscal 2020 agriculture appropriations bill. The House Appropriations Committee recently sent the ag spending bill to the full House on a party-line vote. House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee chair, Sanford Bishop of Georgia, talks about the bill’s $24.3 billion in discretionary spending. “The bill provides …
Larkin Martin elected to lead Farm Foundation Board
OAK BROOK , IL (Farm Foundation): Alabama farmer Larkin Martin, CEO of Martin Farm, has been elected Chair of the Farm Foundation Board of Directors. Martin, who will serve a two-year term, succeeds Joe Swedberg of Longmont, CO, a retired executive of Hormel Foods Corporation. “With the nation’s agriculture and food sector facing diverse and complex economic and public policy issues, …
State Task Force Tackles Toxic Algae
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Reducing harmful nutrients in state waters, through moves such as more monitoring and staffing, is an expected short-term goal of a new task force set up by Gov. Ron DeSantis to look at toxic algae fouling Florida waterways. But with a brief timeline for the five-member Blue Green Algae Task Force to reach its initial findings, don’t …
Legislative Leaders Meet on USMCA and Disaster Relief
It was a busy Friday in the Southeast for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he and other legislative leaders sat down with representatives from Florida and Georgia agriculture on June 7. The day started with a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a meeting in Doerun, Georgia. The main topics of discussion were the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces Hemp Workshops for Public in North, Central, South Florida
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried is announcing that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will hold hemp rulemaking workshops this month throughout the state. As the Governor is expected to sign the state hemp legislation soon, the Department is hosting the workshops to create a space for the public to ask questions and provide valuable input into the hemp rulemaking …
Long-Sought Disaster Aid Package Passes House
A federal disaster-relief package, long sought by Florida officials and Panhandle residents recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Michael, received approval Monday from the U.S. House after three earlier attempts were blocked. The 354-58 vote, which came after the House returned from a 10-day holiday recess, sends the $19.1 billion package to President Donald Trump. The Senate backed the measure …