USDA Awards $300 Million for Ag Export Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was joined by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to announce the allocation of $300 million to 66 U.S. organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to build demand for American food and farm exports in diverse markets around the world. RAPP was launched in October 2023, authorizing $1.2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding …

Audio, Exports, Farm Bill, USDA

Future of Food & Farming Focus on Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

“All Crop Rows Lead to Washington” was the title of a Wednesday panel discussion on the National Mall led by Kip Eideberg of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) with Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and David Rouzer (R-NC). The topic was the farm bill and its importance to rural America and the nation as a whole. The panel was part …

AEM, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Bill

Grassley Urges Schumer to Put Farm Bill on the Agenda

Cindy Zimmerman

Senate Agriculture Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is calling on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats to put the farm bill on the Senate agenda. In a letter to Schumer, Grassley pointed out that of the 17 items Schumer outlined for Senate action, the Farm Bill was missing. Grassley is urging the Majority Leader to hold true to …

Audio, Farm Bill

Senate Ag Committee Leaders Say Farm Bill is Possible

Cindy Zimmerman

The Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee are still holding out hope for a new farm bill this year. A Slido poll at the beginning of the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit Monday showed more than 80 percent of attendees believed there would not be a farm bill this year. Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) …

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Bill, politics

ASTA FCSC Farm Bill Session

Cindy Zimmerman

As most of agriculture knows, Congress agreed last month to an extension of the current farm bill to avoid a lapse in funding for critical agricultural programs and provide certainty to producers, but when a new farm bill will be crafted remains uncertain. At the recent American Seed Trade Association Field Crop Seed Convention, Syngenta’s Mary Kay Thatcher moderated a …

ASTA, Audio, Farm Bill, Farm Policy, Seed, Syngenta

Farm Bill Extension and Funding Reaction

Cindy Zimmerman

Congress this week passed a continuing resolution that includes an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill until Sept. 30, 2024. Agriculture groups and companies at the NAFB Convention gave their reactions to the move and what it will mean for negotiations next year. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) praised the government funding package that also extends the Livestock Mandatory …

Audio, Farm Bill, Farm Policy, NAFB, NCBA, Syngenta

Minnesota Farmer Takes Over as NCGA President

Cindy Zimmerman

Minnesota farmer Harold Wolle, takes over as president of the National Corn Growers Association this week with a theme of “shaping the future.” During a press conference today, Wolle talked about his goals over the next year, saying reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. “My most immediate objective is to …

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Farm Bill, NCGA

#FPS23 Panel Highlights Ag Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

The Syngenta Golden Harvest tent featured an Agricultural Outlook panel on the first day of the 2023 Farm Progress Show that provided perspectives from officials in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri on a host of ag policy issues. Agri-Pulse Managing Editor Spencer Chase moderated the panel which included Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Missouri Secretary of Agriculture Chris Chinn, and Iowa Secretary …

Audio, Farm Bill, Farm Policy, Syngenta

Rep. Austin Scott Addresses Peanut Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

With Congress on summer vacation until September 12, it’s unlikely the September 30 deadline for a new farm bill before the old one expires will be met. But, as Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) told the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Congress still has to do something. “Every five years we write a farm bill, it’s a temporary change to permanent law …

Audio, Farm Bill, Peanuts, SPGC