Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
Bipartisan Child Nutrition Reauthorization Passes Senate
There’s not a lot that Republicans and Democrats can agree upon, especially in this election year, but a bipartisan bill that reauthorizes vital child nutrition programs brought them together. Senate Agriculture Committee officials say the “Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016,” reforms and reauthorizes child nutrition programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and …
Poll Shows Farmers Back Trump
A new poll among farmers show Trump is the Republican forerunner for the nomination due to his strong support of agriculture. Conducted by Farm Futures, the poll found 37 percent of those favoring a Republican candidate said they would vote for Trump “if the election were held today.” Trump’s support among GOP farmers was even stronger at 39 percent from …
AGree Tells Prez Candidates to Focus on Ag & Food Policies
A coalition of stakeholders in the food and agriculture systems is urging the presidential candidates to focus on the policies that can improve the health of America’s families, economy, farms and the environment. In this news release from AGree, the call includes a strategy for elevating food and agriculture as a national priority. “Many people don’t realize the degree to …
Ag Secy Vilsack Talks SOTU, Trade & Climate
USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack held a press call yesterday to discuss President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address. Vilsack, who has served in the capacity of Ag Secretary throughout Obama’s Administration, was in attendance during the speech. He said he is very proud to have been part of an administration that has basically taken the country from …
Updated Website for Senate Ag Committee
Knowing what’s going on in the halls of Congress might be just about as important as knowing what’s going on in the acres you tend. With that in mind, the Senate Agriculture Committee launched a redesigned website to help folks stay up-to-date with the important work happening in the committee. The site, which remains located at www.agriculture.senate.gov, will be a …
Agri-Pulse Poll Ranks Top Farmer Issues
A new poll from Agri-Pulse shows that national security and terrorism are among the top issues for farmers going into the 2016 election, and in turn, billionaire businessman Donald Trump has a slight lead as their choice for president. This article from Agri-Pulse says the poll, conducted in partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association, shows Trump with a slim lead …
AFBF and NCGA Comment on Year End Legislation
Farm groups are reacting to the omnibus spending bill that avoided a government shutdown. Just as it’s being touted as giving some to both Republicans and Democrats, the compromise deal has its ups and downs for agriculture, and Farm Bureau and the National Corn Growers Association have both weighed in on those ag ups and downs. Farm Bureau officials are …
Restoration of Crop Insurance Cuts Gets Bipartisan Praise
Previous cuts to the federal government’s crop insurance program look to be reversed. The action in the transportation conference report that would restore $3 billion in cuts to crop insurance garnered bipartisan praise from U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. “I appreciate the dedication to America’s farmers shown by our leadership today …
Farm Bureau Offers Election Information Website
Farm Bureau believes a well-informed electorate will vote the right ways on issues dear to the organization. That’s why it has launched election16.fb.org, a site the group’s director of advocacy and political affairs Cody Lyon says will keep farmers and ranchers informed. “We wanted to create a website that served three key purposes. First, news that was going on related …