Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Sen. Chuck Grassley. With days left before the August Congressional recess, Grassley says leaders face some must pass legislation including highway funding and a final decision on Country-of-Origin Labeling. In this interview, Grassley offers insights into possible tax reform and the final stages of debate in the budget process. Grassley also says Congress needs …
GROWMARK Names Summer Exploring Agriculture Interns
GROWMARK has named the newest members of its summer Exploring Agriculture Intern program. This news release from the company says the program helps bridge the gap between students and faculty at the two year community and/or technical college level and the GROWMARK system retail companies. “We are striving to provide students with hands-on agronomic experiences, allowing them to gain a …
Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act Passes House
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act has passed the U.S. House on a 275-150 vote, another step to ensuring that farmers will be able to use the safe technology, GMOs. The news was welcomed by a variety of politicians and ag groups. “For the past two years we have worked hard to defend our farmers’ right to use the …
Future of Crop Science Institute Attracts Students
Des Moines, Iowa, recently played host to 62 student delegates meeting for the inaugural Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Crop Science Institute. This news release from the group says this one of four AFA Leader Institutes, which connect passionate, talented college students from 25 universities from 21 different states to various sectors of the agriculture industry. “Career exploration is an …
Tax Bill to Help Ag, Other Small Businesses
The Senate Finance Committee has moved forward legislation seen as important to agriculture and other small businesses. Farm Bureau is praising committee passage of the measure to extend important tax provisions through 2016. The legislation includes two provisions that let small businesses deduct major capital expenditures over just a few years, rather than the full life of the equipment they …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Rob Bishop
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Rep. Rob Bishop. Bishop chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources. Bishop is pleased with recent votes on forestry and water but admits a number of uphill battles remain for his committee and Congress. The Utah Republican minces no words in describing the Obama Administration as the “bully regulation machine” and in this interview …
NJ Welcomes World’s Largest Indoor Vertical Farm
State officials in New Jersey broke ground and welcomed the world’s largest indoor vertical farm. This news release from the governor’s office says AeroFarms’ new 69,000-square-foot headquarters and indoor vertical farm is the future today. “This isn’t your father’s farming. The farms of the future – like AeroFarms – rely ever more closely on technology,” said Acting Governor [Kim] Guadagno. …
AGree Criticizes K-12 Food and Ag Ed in US
A group that represents a cross-section of the food and agriculture system says education in those areas in the U.S. is “disjointed and ineffective.” AGree released a paper that makes the claim and identifies needed reform. The paper, “Food and Agricultural Education in the United States,” authored by Stephanie Mercier, former Chief Economist of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and …
FFA Convention Back to Indianapolis This Year
The National FFA Convention & Expo returns to Indianapolis for 2016-2024. This news release from the organization says the annual convention, being hosted in Louisville, Kentucky, this year, attracts more than 64,000 attendees from across the country. “We are excited to be bringing the National FFA Convention & Expo back to Indianapolis,” Dr. Steve Brown, the national FFA advisor, said. …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Cheri Bustos
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Rep. Cheri Bustos. As a member of the House committees on Agriculture as well as Transportation and Infrastructure, the Illinois Democrat is positioned to cast important votes for farmers and rural America. In this informative interview you’ll hear her thoughts on congressional consideration of trade agreements and angst against the EPA on implementation of …