The national infrastructure will get some attention from the White House this week as the administration gets set to put out details on a $1 trillion infrastructure plan. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says Donald Trump will visit Ohio and Kentucky on Wednesday to speak on waterways and rural America. Trump will give more details on his vision for improving the …
Hearing on Farm Bill Continues
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee will hold another farm bill hearing Wednesday morning, as Committee Chairman Mike Conaway announced the hearing, titled The Next Farm Bill: The Future of International Food Aid and Agricultural Development. Chairman Conaway said the committee has long planned to continue reviewing international food aid programs as it works toward developing the next farm bill. Now …
Scott Wields Veto Pen on New Budget
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday used his veto pen to slash $410 million in legislative projects across the state, saying they failed to “provide a great return for Florida families.” In signing the bulk of an $80 billion-plus budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, Scott told reporters the savings from vetoes will help cover a planned increase …
House Ag Committee Plans Another Farm Bill Hearing
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee will hold another farm bill hearing this week. Texas Republican and Committee Chairman Mike Conaway announced the hearing, titled The Next Farm Bill: The Future of International Food Aid and Agricultural Development. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Chairman Conaway says the committee has long planned to continue reviewing international food aid programs as …
Secretaries Perdue and Zinke Stress Inter-Departmental Collaboration as Wildfire Season Approaches
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Interior Secretary Ryan K. Zinke joined forces in Boise, Idaho at the National Incident Fire Command Center (NIFC) for a tour and briefing on the upcoming wildfire season. Following the events, the secretaries sent a memorandum to wildland fire leadership highlighting the importance of inter-departmental collaboration in protecting communities and managing public lands. In the …
China Issues “Wish List” for U.S. Trade
China has issued a list of concessions that it says can help deliver a “win-win” trade relationship with America. The list is part of an 117-page document released Thursday by the Ministry of Commerce. China would like to improve infrastructure cooperation with the U.S. and accept greater imports of goods ranging from soybeans to aircraft. The report acknowledges the Trump …
USDA Designates Eight Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
In response to a request from Debby Folsom, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eight counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Those counties are: Brevard Hillsborough Manatee Seminole Collier Lake Sarasota Sumter Farmers and ranchers in …
USDA Designates Glynn County in Georgia as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
In response to a request from Dianne Westmoreland, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Glynn County in Georgia as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in Brantley, Camden, McIntosh and Wayne counties in Georgia also qualify …
Conaway, Goodlatte Call on Attorney General to Evaluate DOJ Overreach in Prosecuting WOTUS Violation in CA Court Case
House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Bob Goodlatte (VA-6) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for a review of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to prosecute a California court case alleging violations under the Clean Water Act (CWA) – directly related to both the statutory exemptions for farming …
Revision of Seg. 1 Peanuts by Peanut Standards Board Draws Praise
The Georgia Peanut Commission issued comments in full support of the proposed rule issued in the Federal Register regarding a recommendation from the Peanut Standards Board to revise the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States. The Peanut Standards Board voted in the fall of 2016 to raise the grading score used …