Environmental Defense Ruminates on Farm Policy

Chuck Zimmerman

The Environmental Defense group now has a farm policy blog called “The Ruminant.” It’s written by Scott Faber who manages the Healthy Farms, Healthy Food Campaign for Environmental Defense. The slogan for the site is “A daily update on the debates shaping the 2007 Farm Bill.” Thanks to Meg Little for bringing it to my attention. They also have a …

Environment, Farm Policy, Podcasts

Three Important Farm Policy Issues For 2006

Keith Good

FarmPolicy.comAs the 2006 farm policy picture develops, observers see three key issues on the horizon.

According to DTN, “This sets the stage for three farm policy debates next year — one beginning early in the year on proposed budget cuts, a second continuing debate on trade policy that could peak next spring and a third beginning late in the year on replacement farm legislation.”

While Administration federal budget proposals are set to be released next month, recall that last year, the President Bush sought to curtail farm spending by $9 billion over five years. Nonetheless, the current budget reconciliation measure that is set to pass Congress contains only $2.7 billion in cuts.

The second two issues, trade policy and the 2007 Farm Bill debate, are more intertwined.

Farm Policy

Farm Policy Developments Center On Congressional Budget Action & Trade Talks

Keith Good

FarmPolicy.comDevelopments in U.S. farm policy this week included important legislative action in Congress, as well as a trip to Latin America by President Bush.

The Senate on Thursday passed a five-year budget reduction bill by a vote of 52 to 47.

The legislation, which is slated to garner budget saving of $35 billion, contained approximately $3 billion in cuts to agricultural programs.

Farm Policy

Ag Policy Update: Farm Bill, Budget Deals & Trade

Jamie Johansen

The Missouri Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference took place over the weekend. I was able to attend with my husband and had great intentions to not ‘work.’ But when I heard topics being discussed that are timely and others might learn from, I couldn’t help but pull out my recorder and gather some content. Missouri Farm Bureau’s Director …

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Bill, Trade

Bridging the Farm/Food Policy Gap at #FarmBillSummit

Kelly Marshall

The “Bridging the Gap Between Farm and Food Policy” panel hosted by Agri-Pulse during their Farm Bill Summit was moderated by Agri-Pulse Senior Editor, Phillip Brasher. The panelists were all veterans of past farm bills and familiar with wrestling issues like SNAP. “I think the alliance between farmers and people who work in the nutrition field or people who worry …

Ag Day, Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Bill, Food

Bayer Talks Policy – Trade, WOTUS, Farm Bill

Jamie Johansen

News from Washington comes daily and every decision in one way, shape or form impacts our agriculture community. The Bayer AgVocacy Form provided a platform for key policy issues to be discussed and Bayer’s Federal Relations and Policy Senior Director, Jim McVaney, shared his insights into the new administration. “The fact that agriculture didn’t play a role in the President’s …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Protection, Crop Science, politics

Farm Bill Survey Helps Shape NFU Policy

Kelly Marshall

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is offering growers a chance to have their opinions heard regarding the next Farm Bill by offering a survey for farm and ranch families across the U.S.  The survey is in addition to multiple member listening sessions being held that also offer a chance for feedback. “As a farmer-led organization, we work closely with our …

Ag Groups, Farm Bill

A Summary of FarmPolicy.com

Chuck Zimmerman

After years of providing us with daily farm policy news, Keith Good has decided to spend more time with his family. Since we have hosted his website all these years I have been receiving lots of questions. So, I thought I’d ask him to send me a note about his decision to stop his daily newsletter and website update. Included …

Farm Policy