The Georgia Peanut Commission hosted a webinar discussion on Friday with U.S. Congressmen Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Austin Scott (R-GA) and Bob Redding, The Redding Firm, to learn more about the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law March 27. The discussion includes important information for farmers and ranchers about the Payroll Protection Program …
Senators Stress COVID-19 Relief for Agriculture
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) led a Senate colloquy Monday to outline the importance of supporting farmers, ranchers and rural America in legislation to provide relief from the impacts of COVID-19. Hoeven worked to include $50 billion in funding authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Joining Hoeven …
Senate Ag Committee Hemp Hearing
The Senate Committee on Agriculture got an update on “Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill” Thursday with opening remarks from leadership and two panels. Providing opening remarks were: Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) The first panel included representatives from USDA, EPA and FDA who gave reports on how their …
Ag Retailers Have Busy Week on the Hill
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) held its annual Board of Directors and Committee Meetings in Washington, D.C. this past week, which included an intense day of visits with Congressional representatives. ARA also presented its Legislator of the Year award to members of Congress who champion legislation important to the agricultural retail industry and this year the organization recognized Senators Chuck …
EPA Nominee Answers Ethanol Questions
During a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler answered many questions from senators about his commitment to getting a rule on year-round E15 out in time for the summer driving season. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) wanted to know if EPA has been able to take any action on the rule during …
Presidential Speeches at 91st National FFA Convention
President Donald Trump addressed the 91st National FFA Convention Saturday in Indianapolis. Outgoing National FFA president Breanna Holbert of California gave her retiring address shortly after President Trump spoke. Listen to some of both their speeches here.
President Says USMCA is Victory for Farmers
President Donald Trump announced the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) during a Rose Garden press conference Monday. During his remarks, he talked about how the agreement benefits U.S. farmers. This new deal is an especially great victory for our farmers. Our farmers have gone through a lot over the last 15 years. They’ve been taken advantage of by everybody. Prices have …
Iowa Gov Grills Burgers with Acting EPA Admin
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a taste of the famous Iowa State Fair Monday as the guest of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and while he had some fun, Wheeler was there to meet with farmers about critical issues. “I enjoyed the round table we just had with different ag groups in the state…hearing what their concerns and problems are,” …
Acting EPA Chief Questioned on RFS Concerns
During a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing Wednesday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler was pressed for answers about the demand destruction created by small refinery exemptions, how EPA intends to reallocate the waived gallons, and when the agency will allow E15 use year-round. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) …
#SubEnvironment Holds Hearing on RINs
The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment took a deep dive into the complex world of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) during a hearing on Wednesday. The committee, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), heard from a panel of independent witnesses to provide background on RINs and how the market for them works. The panel included: Brent Yacobucci – Energy …
FDA Considering Fake Meat and Milk
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is spending time this month discussing meat and milk. Last week, FDA held a public meeting to discuss foods produced using animal cell culture technology – mainly lab-grown fake meat products – and which agency should be in charge of regulating. The meat industry believes fake meat should be regulated by USDA. Speaking …
White House Reorganization Plans Would Change USDA
During an open media cabinet meeting Thursday, which was mostly dominated by President Trump commenting on the immigration issue, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Mick Mulvaney gave an entertaining summary of the administration’s plans to reorganize the government. “It’s been almost a hundred years since anybody really reorganized the government,” said Mulvaney, before providing a couple of examples …
Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill
By a vote of 20 to 1, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Wednesday. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was the sole dissenting vote, continuing his long-time crusade for payment limitations. Grassley was the first to make his comments during the mark-up. Here are his remarks. Grassley also opposed including the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 …
Farm Foundation Forum Features Ag Trade Perspectives
A timely Farm Foundation Forum this week featured the current Chief Agriculture Negotiator of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and three of his predecessors going back to 2001 commenting on the current trade environment for agriculture. Ambassador Gregg Doud, current Chief Agriculture Negotiator Ambassador Darci Vetter, former Chief Agriculture Negotiator (2014-2016) Ambassador Richard Crowder, former Chief Agriculture Negotiator …
Farm Bill Defeated in the House
House Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) delivered on his promise to get a farm bill written in a timely manner, but his colleagues in the House voted 198-213 Friday to reject his effort. Democrats voted against the bill mainly for changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aimed at getting able-bodied adults under 60 without dependents or …