The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs including the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). Agricultural producers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency for ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year from Jan. 21 to April 15 and for DMC for the 2025 …

Ranking Member Angie Craig applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture after it announced that an additional $650 million would be made available to support struggling specialty crop producers. On December 18, 2024, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance sent a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Agricultural Committees requesting additional economic assistance for specialty crop producers. …

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers and lower food costs for U.S. consumers. Farm Bureau farmer and rancher members play an important role in our communities and our organization by serving on governing boards and committees at …

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the ping pong of court orders that ended with a court-ordered reprieve from Treasury Department reporting requirements for many small businesses. Earlier this month, a federal court halted the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirement from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. On Monday, the United States Court …

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces the addition of two prominent speakers to the agenda for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum, “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” scheduled for February 27-28, 2025. Jeff Schmid, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will address the Forum with a plenary speech on the morning of February 27. Nebraska …

The Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is now available on DietaryGuidelines.gov. The report contains the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (Committee) independent, evidence-based findings and advice to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Scientific Report, alongside public comments and federal agency input, will inform the …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to expedite approval of payments and practice implementation for Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), and Tree Assistance Program (TAP) applicants impacted by these …

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. Specifically, the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop …

The World Food Prize Foundation announced that Ambassador Terry Branstad will retire as President on January 31, 2025, and Foundation Chief Operating Officer Mashal Husain will become President. In addition, the Foundation will conduct a global search for a newly created chief executive role focused on organizational leadership and global diplomacy. After nearly a decade leading the Daugherty Water for …

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is funding new projects in nearly every state to lower costs, expand access to clean energy and strengthen American farms and small businesses. USDA is making the investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a program that has seen record demand in response to historic funding provided …