The Missouri State University William H. Darr School of Agriculture proudly hosted the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, Michael Scuse. A luncheon was held where Under Secretary Scuse addressed a room full of leaders in Missouri agriculture. He also met with Missouri State agricultural students for a roundtable discussion and question and answer period. Most producers across …
Secy Vilsack to Keynote 6th Commodity Classic
Not only has Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack set a record as the longest serving secretary in modern history, there’s no doubt he has appeared in more places and events more times than any of his predecessors. Vilsack will visit the Commodity Classic next week for the sixth year in a row to address the annual convention and trade show …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Krysta Harden
Agri-Pulse interviewed USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden for Open Mic this week: USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden says it is critical for the government to provide a reasonable safety net for farmers, but that all programs- including crop insurance and conservation – must be scrutinized as part of the annual budget process. She shares her perspectives on farm bill implementation, …
Happy Birthday Farm Bill!
It was one year ago this week – February 7, to be exact – that President Obama signed the “Swiss Army Knife” farm bill into law. “Despite its name, the farm bill is not just about helping farmers,” President Obama said at the signing. “Secretary Vilsack calls it a jobs bill, an innovation bill, an infrastructure bill, a research bill, …
USDA Offers Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving beginning farmers and ranchers a little help getting started. This news release says $18 million in grants to educate, mentor, and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers are being made available through the the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). “As new farmers and ranchers get started, they are …
WOTUS Interpretive Rule Withdrawn
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have at least ditched part of the WOTUS rule. The Interpretive Rule Regarding the Applicability of Clean Water Act Section related to the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) was officially withdrawn by EPA and the Corps in a memo last Thursday, January 29. Congress requested asked for …
Budget Proposes One Food Safety Agency Under HHS
President Obama’s proposed budget released today would combine USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies’ efforts into a single agency under Health and Human Services (HHS). Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spent much of a 45 minute press conference about the budget talking about and defending that proposal. “What the president is asking …
USDA Deregulates Dicamba-Tolerant Traits
USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced “determinations of nonregulated status for Monsanto Company’s (Monsanto) soybeans and cotton that are resistant to certain herbicides, including one known as dicamba.” Monsanto officials say the decision to deregulate Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans and Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton “will provide farmers with more consistent, flexible control of tough-to-manage broadleaf weeds.” …
AFBF President Surprises Vilsack with Branding Iron
American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman presented Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with a special gift Monday to recognize his support of farmers and ranchers. Noting that a Texas cowboy phrase denoting loyalty to the ranch is “ride for the brand,” Stallman gave Vilsack a specially-made “US AG” branding iron. “Mr. Secretary, thank you for riding for the brand for …
Farm Bureau Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held an informal town hall-style meeting with members of the American Farm Bureau on the floor of the IDEAg trade show Sunday in San Diego. On a circular stage with AFBF president Bob Stallman, Vilsack took questions from members on a variety of topics, including the proposed Waters of the US rule, transportation, trade, and biofuels. …