RFA Ethanol Podcast

Former Ag Secretaries Urge Congress to Pass TPA

Cindy Zimmerman

A bipartisan group of former U.S. Agriculture Secretaries, representing all past administrations since President Jimmy Carter, issued an open letter on Friday urging Congress to pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The former secretaries note that TPA has been given to all previous presidents since Gerald Ford and is critical for successfully negotiating new trade partnerships that boost exports and create …

Exports, Trade, USDA

Sec. Vilsack Addresses 2015 Commodity Classic

Taylor Truckey

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to over 7000 agricultural producers and industry members during his 6th appearance at Commodity Classic on Friday. Sec. Vilsack began by stating that he “was in the presence of greatness” and went on to thank farmers for all that they do on a daily basis. He also thanked farmers for their work on the …

Agribusiness, Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA, sorghum, Soybean, Trade, USDA, Wheat

USDA Gives $14 Million for Rural Economic Growth

John Davis

Rural economies are getting a $14 million boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This news release from the agency says the grants through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) are aimed at increasing prosperity in rural America through research, education, and extension programs focused on promoting rural community development, economic growth, and sustainability. “Nearly 60 million …

Agribusiness, USDA

Ag Groups Comment on Proposed Dietary Guidelines

Jamie Johansen

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted their recommendations to the Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA will consider this report, along with input from other federal agencies and comments from the public as they develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, to be released …

Ag Groups, NCBA, Nutrition, USDA

Under Sec Scuse Visits Missouri State University

Jamie Johansen

The Missouri State University William H. Darr School of Agriculture proudly hosted the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, Michael Scuse. A luncheon was held where Under Secretary Scuse addressed a room full of leaders in Missouri agriculture. He also met with Missouri State agricultural students for a roundtable discussion and question and answer period. Most producers across …

Ag Groups, Audio, Education, Trade, USDA

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Krysta Harden

Leah Guffey

Agri-Pulse interviewed USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden for Open Mic this week: USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden says it is critical for the government to provide a reasonable safety net for farmers, but that all programs- including crop insurance and conservation – must be scrutinized as part of the annual budget process. She shares her perspectives on farm bill implementation, …

Agri-Pulse, Audio, USDA

Happy Birthday Farm Bill!

Cindy Zimmerman

It was one year ago this week – February 7, to be exact – that President Obama signed the “Swiss Army Knife” farm bill into law. “Despite its name, the farm bill is not just about helping farmers,” President Obama said at the signing. “Secretary Vilsack calls it a jobs bill, an innovation bill, an infrastructure bill, a research bill, …

Audio, Farm Bill, USDA

USDA Offers Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Grants

John Davis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving beginning farmers and ranchers a little help getting started. This news release says $18 million in grants to educate, mentor, and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers are being made available through the the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). “As new farmers and ranchers get started, they are …

Agribusiness, USDA

WOTUS Interpretive Rule Withdrawn

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have at least ditched part of the WOTUS rule. The Interpretive Rule Regarding the Applicability of Clean Water Act Section related to the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) was officially withdrawn by EPA and the Corps in a memo last Thursday, January 29. Congress requested asked for …

Corn, Dairy, EPA, NCGA, USDA, Water