Labor and estate tax are two areas where the two presidential candidates hold differing views in issues important to agriculture, according to results of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) questionnaire released yesterday. “If there’s an area where they diverge in their approach, it would be helping to solve agriculture’s labor shortage,” said Linda Johnson, AFBF Director of Policy Research. …
AFBF Gets Candidate Answers on Ag Issues
The American Farm Bureau Federation got answers from President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in a questionnaire asking the candidates about their positions on energy, environmental regulations, farm labor and more. On farm policy, Obama said he understands the need for a strong farm safety net. “That’s why I increased the availability of crop insurance and emergency disaster …
Opposition to California Proposition is Growing
The National Corn Growers Association is the latest group to join a broad coalition opposing California’s Proposition 37, which would require labeling of some food products sold in that state that contain genetically engineered ingredients. “All it’s going to do is add to food costs,” said NCGA president Garry Niemeyer of Illinois. “It is a flawed proposition and its exemptions …
Farm Foundation, NASDA to Host Presidential Forum
Our friends at Farm Foundation will team up with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) to hold a Presidential Forum on Agriculture, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust Street, in Des Moines, Iowa. The forum will use Nebraska Senator and former U.S. Secretary …
Vilsack Talks Obama Plan for Rural Economy at DNC
Pres. Obama has a way to keep the rural economy moving forward… that’s the message delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC received from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “President Obama has a detailed plan for a new rural economy,” Vilsack told the delegates. “More support for small businesses making, creating and innovating. More investment in biofuels …
Former Ag Secretary and USTR at FPS
A former Secretary of Agriculture and US Trade Ambassador believes Mitt Romney would be a better president for agriculture, doubts Congress will get a farm bill done next month, and would advise against waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). That’s a few of the topics Dr. Clayton Yeutter touched on during a brief press appearance at the 2012 Farm Progress …
Romney Announces Farmers and Ranchers Coalition
Presumptive Republican nominee for President Mitt Romney today announced a coalition of agricultural leaders for his campaign. The Farmers and Ranchers for Romney coalition is chaired nationally by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Ambassador Tom Nassif, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), and former USDA Acting/Deputy Secretary Charles Conner. “I’m honored …
Dean Kleckner Endorses Herman Cain For President
I love the tweet I just saw from the Herman Cain Campaign announcing their new YouTube ad for Iowa which says that it “even features smoking tractors!” Now that is funny right there. In the video you’ll see Dean Kleckner, Chairman, Truth About Trade & Technology, explain why he endorses Herman Cain for President.
Farm Bill Forecasting at Peanut Meeting
Prospects for a new Farm Bill dominated a discussion at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City over the weekend. Congressman Stephen Fincher (R-TN) of the freshman class in the House of Representatives for 2010 would like to see the next Farm Bill delayed until after the 2012 election. “We’ve got to make sure as we approach writing a …
House Ag Committee Dems Decimated
With debate on the next farm bill expected to begin in earnest next year, the make-up of the House Agriculture Committee will be significant – and after yesterday’s election there will be lots of new faces. While Chairman Collin Peterson was re-elected, he will no longer be chairman with the Republicans in control. What is really amazing is that 16 …