Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting project proposals now through July 2, 2024, that will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis. These projects in turn can save farmers money, create new revenue streams, and increase productivity.
Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo (CO-08) recently announced a bill to address the impending transfer of over 370 million acres of farmland in the next two decades. The Farm Transitions Act is co-led by two Democrats and two Republicans: Rep. Caraveo (CO-08), Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Rep. Don Davis (NC-01). The Farm Transitions Act would reauthorize the Commission on Farm Transitions included in the 2018 Farm Bill.
According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, multiple years of record margins have left U.S. soybean processors well-prepared to weather the inevitable downturn in margins. However, overbuilding U.S. soybean crush capacity, combined with sustained levels of low processing margins could threaten the viability of new, high-cost plants in the long term.
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcomes Elizabeth Rivera as the new Director of Communications and Partnerships. Elizabeth comes to NAWG with experience on Capitol Hill, interning with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules and serving as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Officers, committee chairs, and staff from the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) visited the Red River Valley as part of their Bayer Leadership Training Program. Northern Crops Institute (NCI) at North Dakota State University (NDSU) facilitated the training, which consisted of parliamentary procedure review, public speaking practice, board and officer responsibilities, and more. The national wheat leaders and staff had a reception with wheat boards from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, traveled to the North Dakota Mill and Elevator in Grand Forks, and heard from keynote speaker Collin Peterson about advocating for the Farm Bill.
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 17-19, with the theme Rollin’ on the River. The 25th annual conference for peanut growers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi will be held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. The three-day event provides farmers with information about peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is now accepting nominations for its 2024 Hall of Fame, which honors the trailblazers, inventors, and leaders whose work has left a legacy on the off-road equipment industry. Nominations are open until June 14, 2024, and can be submitted here.
Saying growers need reliable access to essential farming tools, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Harold Wolle warned the U.S. International Trade Commission of the consequences for America’s farmers if the agency grants a petition to levy tariffs on imported 2,4-D, an often-used herbicide that has been on the market for decades.
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced Kayla Mayer as the newest addition to the company’s communication team. Mayer will serve as the marketing and communications manager. She works closely with Director of Communications Laura Hensley to oversee strategic direction, create creative assets and offers overall communications support on behalf of the association and its affiliates.
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa (FMH) announced the acquisition of Global Ag Insurance Services from commercial and specialty insurer AXA XL. Global Ag is a leading crop insurance provider headquartered in the western U.S. that offers crop insurance solutions through the USDA multi-peril crop insurance program as well as specialty private and named peril products designed to meet the unique needs of crop producers and growers.
