Some are saying Congress may need to pass a short-term extension of the current farm bill if they are unable to get a new one across the finish line before September 30, but House Agriculture Committee chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) is still optimistic. “With the farm bill, we’re rounding first base,” said Thompson during a recent interview in …
ASTA Releases 2023 Farm Bill Recommendations
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) recently released its policy recommendations for the 2023 Farm Bill. The recommendations fall under the following priority areas: 1) conservation; 2) agriculture research; 3) trade; 4) innovation; and 5) risk management. “Farm bills are meant to be a safety net for farmers,” said Janae Brady, ASTA Vice President for Government Affairs. “For us, the …
2023 Agri-Pulse Summit Preview
With debate on a new farm bill formally underway, the upcoming 2023 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit will explore some of the forward-looking ideas under development that will drive policy discussions for both this year and the decades ahead. Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse editor and founder, says the theme of this year’s summit is Next Gen Farm & Food Policy. …
Cotton Policy Update at #BWCC23
Attendees at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences this week in New Orleans were updated on current policy issues relating to cotton by Bart Fischer, Co-Director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center Texas A&M University. Fischer says one of the big policy issues on the plate this year is the next farm bill. “The 2018 Farm Bill expires on September 30,” …
ASTA Witness Testifies on Farm Bill Research Programs
*POST UPDATED WITH AUDIO* Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee heard testimony from Dr. Katy Martin Rainey, Associate Professor, Agronomy, Purdue University, on behalf of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during a hearing Tuesday on “Farm Bill 2023: Research Programs.” Rainey spoke to the foundational role of agriculture research in the 2023 Farm Bill in ensuring a secure agricultural …
Syngenta’s Thatcher Provides Policy Perspective
Mary Kay Thatcher has been in policy “since the first Bush administration” when she left Iowa for Washington DC after college, so when she talks about policy, people in agriculture listen. After 30 years with the American Farm Bureau Federation and now Sr. Manager, Federal Government & Industry Relations at Syngenta for almost five years, most everyone knows Mary Kay …
AFBF Establishes 2023 Farm Bill Priorities
American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall today outlined the organization’s 2023 Farm Bill priorities. The priorities were identified by a working group of Farm Bureau members and staff from across the country. In general, AFBF supports continuing current farm bill program funding; maintaining a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; prioritizing risk management tools …
Agri-Pulse Summit Includes Farm Bill Veterans
The 2022 Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Policy Summit held Monday at the National Press Club was focused on laying the groundwork for the next farm bill and featured some of the most influential voices in farm policy including leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as agricultural organizations and companies. It was the first time Agri-Pulse has …
Senate Ag Leaders Ready for Farm Bill
The leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee addressed the 2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit live and in-person Monday at the National Press Club, sharing their perspectives on the next farm bill. Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) both spent some time visiting the National Ag Day exhibits on …
Sen. Pat Roberts Bids Farewell
Sen. Pat Roberts, the Republican from Kansas who has served as a leader in both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees over his four decade career in Congress, said goodbye to his Senate colleagues Thursday in a farewell floor speech. The outspoken senator who helped to write the past eight farm bills spoke about his background, how he went from …