The Senate Finance Committee yesterday passed Trade Promotion Authority legislation by a vote of 20-6. Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said the action “marks a pivotal moment for international trade policy and reflects years of true bipartisan work.” “We thank Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Wyden for their leadership in introducing this important piece of legislation to extend trade promotion …
Vilsack Flips Switch on New Solar Farm
On Earth Day, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack flipped the switch to symbolically activate USDA’s first solar array project in the National Capital Region. The 1.6 Megawatt (MW) solar farm, located at the George Washington Carver Center (Carver Center) in Beltsville, Maryland, is the largest solar array on federal property in this region. This project, which is part of a larger …
Happy #EarthDay
Seeing lots of Earth Day messages on social media today reminding the other 98% of the population that farmers and ranchers do Earth Day every day. Here’s one from the GROWMARK FS system. We are celebrating Earth Day today by going to the beach – it’s a gorgeous day here!
High Path Avian Flu Topic at Chicken Summit
The 2015 Chicken Media Summit is being held this week in Maryland, organized by the National Chicken Council and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Among those in attendance is our own Jamie Johansen, along with bloggers, journalists, dietitians and leaders in the poultry industry from all over the country. Yesterday the event featured tours of a hatchery, broiler barn and …
GROWMARK Highlights Intern Program at NAMA
GROWMARK has one of the oldest and most successful internship programs in the agriculture business so they were a popular stop for student NAMA attendees during the Connection Point trade show at the Agri-Marketing Conference last week in Kansas City. “We’re going on our 56th year with the internship program,” said GROWMARK University Relations Manager Allison Stephey. “We have a …
2015 Best of NAMA
Russell Nimitz of the Northern Ag Network was the host for our industry’s version of the Oscars – the 56th annual Best of NAMA. A total of 62 awards were presented, topped off with the overall Best of Show: Advertising: Syngenta – Martin/Williams Public Relations: Driscoll’s Berries – The Baddish Group Zoetis walked away with a total of seven awards …
Brownfield NAMA Tradition Continues
It was yet another memorable Brownfield party at the annual Agri-Marketing Conference last week in Kansas City. Can you believe it’s been 25 years? What was your favorite Brownfield party over the years? I’d have to say it was the Red Solo cup year at Howl at the Moon. 2015 Brownfield NAMA Party Photos Because this year was a milestone, …
House Votes to Kill Death Tax
By a vote of 240-179 largely along party lines, the U.S. House voted Thursday to repeal the federal estate tax, better known by opponents as the “death tax.” Co-sponsor Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) told his colleagues that repealing the tax is a top priority for farmers and ranchers in his state and around the nation. “Agriculture, particularly raising cattle and …
Congress Moves on Fast Track
Bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation was introduced today in Congress that would put negotiations for new trade agreements that could benefit agriculture on the fast track. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan …
Farmers and Ethanol Supporters Meet With Hillary
During her visit to Iowa this week, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton discussed issues important to agriculture with a group of farmer leaders, including former National Corn Growers Association president Pam Johnson (pictured) and former Iowa agriculture secretary Patty Judge. “We had about an hour with her and had a very good discussion with her,” said Judge who is co-chair …