EPA agricultural counselor Ron Carleton was at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk last week to discuss ways the agency is working to partner with farmers and ranchers for the benefit of all. “I understand that the relationship between EPA and agriculture over the years has not been necessarily been warm and fuzzy,” said Carleton, who was appointed …
Farm Bureau Wants EPA Micromanagement Stopped
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and a coalition of agricultural and builder groups have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) micromanagement of local land use and development decisions. This news release from AFBF says the groups are asking the court to review a lower court ruling that allows the EPA overstep under the …
White House Announces Companies’ Climate Pledges
The White House has announced additional commitments from companies across the U.S. who are joining the American Business Act on Climate Pledge to reduce their environmental footprint and use of natural resources. Eighty-one companies have signed on the dotted lines including many in the agricultural arena including Cargill, Campos Brothers Farms, Coca Cola, General Mills, Hershey’s and more. The companies …
Poll Shows Support for Change to Endangered Species Act
A new poll shows that Americans are in favor of some updates to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Farm Bureau cites a Morning Consult poll that shows most people in the U.S. believe the law is outdated and needs to be revised. The survey shows: · 63 percent of Americans support modernizing the ESA; · 62 of Americans believe the …
CSX, Bayer Provide National FFA Awards
80 FFA chapters nationwide have created a plan for their communities in case of natural or environmental disaster. These emergency preparedness plans will now receive funding, up to $2,000, to make them a reality. The funds were provided by the National FFA Organization’s Living to Serve: Environmental or Natural Disaster/Emergency Preparedness Grant Program. These grants are made are provided by CSX and …
MO Farm Bureau Speaks Out Against Over Regulation
The Missouri Farm Bureau has put together interactive maps to give a feel of how the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that goes into effect this weekend will impact the state. Well over 95% of the state of Missouri will qualify as a water of the U.S. under this rule. I spoke with Blake Hurst, president of the …
#Ag Not on Republican Soapbox Agenda
Apparently agriculture is not a main agenda item during the Iowa State Fair for many Republicans. During the Des Moines Register’s Soapbox series speeches, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham failed to discuss any ag issues in detail and only Walker and Fiorina made comments but only when answering crowd questions. I …
Prez Candidate Rand Paul: Stop EPA Farmland Grab
Republican Presidential Candidate and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is kicking off his first Iowa radio campaign ad “decrying the Obama Administration’s land grab of Iowa farmland”. The radio ad will be heard on farm radio stations. The ad is focused on the Waters of the US legislation and highlights the devastating consequences of the new regulation. “In Washington, DC, President …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Gov. Martin O’Malley
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Gov. Martin O’Malley. [The former governor of Maryland is a] Democratic candidate for President in 2016. In this interview you’ll hear his views on renewable fuel policy, environmental stewardship, global trade and why he believes leading a state like Maryland uniquely qualifies his bid for the Oval Office. Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse …
AFBF: Secrecy, Misconduct at EPA on WOTUS
A series of memos the Obama Administration intended to keep private shows a culture of secrecy, falsehood and dysfunction that permeated the Waters of the U.S. rulemaking process. The American Farm Bureau charges the Army Corps of Engineers memos show the Corps “repeatedly rebuked EPA officials for their abuse of the rulemaking process in producing the deeply controversial Waters of …