(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 15, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis trimmed $510.9 million from a record-high state spending plan signed Thursday, with nearly one-fifth of the cuts coming from a single program designed to keep swaths of rural property from commercial and residential development. While DeSantis didn’t give any explanation for projects he slashed for the fiscal year that begins July 1, …
USDA to Invest $3 Million to Support Cooperative Soil Science and Soil Survey Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to invest $3 million in partnerships to promote research that informs and improves soil surveys at the regional level. This is part of an ongoing effort to continue to provide critical data. Proposals from institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network should be submitted to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
Congressman Says Mexico is Too Late to Change USMCA Terms
by Sabrina Halvorson If Mexico’s president wanted to restrict GMO corn from the U.S., the time to do that was more than three years ago, before he agreed to the terms of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). That’s the sentiment of Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan (D-MI-08). “Our view is there’s nothing in the USMCA that gives him the authority to …
President Testifies Before Congress on State of the Livestock Industry
Last month, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson testified before the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. The second-generation cattle producer from South Dakota, highlighted stronger market conditions in the cattle industry and discussed new challenges facing farmers and ranchers from burdensome regulations and inflation. “Many of you have said it before, and I wholeheartedly agree, food …
IFPA Wants Equity in Farm Bill
by Sabrina Halvorson The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) wants to see more funding for specialty crops in the farm bill. In an interview, IFPA Vice President of U.S. Government Relations, Rebeckah Adcock pointed out the differences in funding for things like fresh produce versus row crops. “All parts of agriculture are important. But since USDA says fruits and vegetables …
Farm Bill Stakeholder Feedback Portal Closes June 16
An integral part of the Farm Bill process is soliciting feedback from farmers, ranchers, foresters, producers, processors, and consumers. Over the last several months, the House Committee on Agriculture has been soliciting feedback for the 2023 reauthorization. And here’s a reminder out of Washington D.C. that the deadline to submit stakeholder feedback is Friday, June 16. To submit comments on the 2023 …
Funding Questionable for New Specialty Crop Farm Bill Programs
by Sabrina Halvorson The specialty crop industry wants farm bill funding for research and new programs, but lawmakers ask, where’s that money coming from? Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says it’s hard to say what is the most important of all the priorities for specialty crops in the …
Beagle Brigade Act Gaining Support
by Sabrina Halvorson Support is growing for the Beagle Brigade Act. Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) introduced the bill in the House and says it’s a vital act for agriculture. “It’s an act with a cute name but a very important purpose. The Beagle Brigade Act helps protect America’s food supply from foreign pests from diseases that come in through …
Learn About GMOs with the FDA
There’s a new resource to help consumers learn more about GMOs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Feed Your Mind is an Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative that was first launched in March 2020 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency …
USMEF Conference Examines Industry Challenges and Opportunities
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) held their annual Spring Conference last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. USMEF senior staff updated members on industry efforts to expand the international footprint for U.S. red meat and bolster demand for underutilized pork, beef and lamb cuts. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom gave an overview of the competitive landscape, identifying and detailing a number of …