As the Agriculture Department moves forward with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation regulations, the department must ensure its new Interim Rule balances the benefits for both farmland and wetland, …
Lawmakers Get Updated on Organic Industry Needs
Lawmakers in Congress are getting a thorough update on the needs and concerns of the organic industry this week. More than 20 farmer-members from the Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory …
Two CA Congressmen Reintroduce 2019 Flood Insurance For Farmers Act
The Flood Insurance for Farmers Act was reintroduced this week by Congressmen John Garamendi and Doug LaMalfa. The act will provide farmers with discounted rates for flood insurance under the …
Shutdown Hinders Implementation of Farm Bill Benefits to California Producers
Ratifying a new Farm Bill takes the efforts of many different people over a long period of time. Once it’s signed into law, the states begin to implement the programs …
Disaster Recovery Bill on Hold Until Government Shutdown Is Resolved
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to continue funding for the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP) to assist with disaster recovery. While analysts anticipate the …
USDA to Reopen All FSA Offices – Extends MFP Payment Deadline to Feb. 14
USDA announced it will reopen all of its Farm Service Agencies despite the ongoing government shutdown. Last week, USDA announced it would only reopen selected FSA offices, for three days …
Farm Bill Gets the Wildfire Relief Conversation Started
After California was heavily engulfed with fires over the last two years, there was a big push for forest management and wildfire relief to be added to the new Farm …
Farmers Dealing with Uncertainty as 2019 Starts
The year is opening with uncertainty for farmers and ranchers despite several important developments such as the 2018 Farm Bill and the US-Mexico-Canada-Agreement projected to be finalized once the government …
Hopes to Curb Agribusiness Consolidation as New Congress Takes Office
As the new Congress takes office there is hope that something will be done to address the frequency and scope of agribusiness mergers the industry has seen over the past …
Farm Bill Strengthens Efforts of Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
The 2018 Farm Bill continues financial support of multiple programs and initiatives including the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR). The new farm bill includes $185 million in funding …
Court Agrees with USDA in GIPSA Ruling
About a year after a petition was filed, the GIPSA ruling was finally issued by a U.S. District Court on December 21. The ruling stated that the U.S. Department of …
Ag Groups Pleased with 2018 Farm Bill
Several agriculture groups are pleased with the 2018 Farm Bill. Groups such as the National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation spoke out and welcomed the legislation for their …
NCBA President Invited to White House for 2018 Farm Bill Ceremony
National Cattlemen Beef Association (NCBA) president and fifth generation California rancher Kevin Kester was one of few people invited to the White House,Thursday, for the 2018 Farm Bill Ceremony. Kester talks …
Industry Excited for Dairy Policy Reforms in Farm Bill
Industry members have expressed significant support for some of the dairy policy reforms put forth in the farm bill that should prove beneficial for dairy farmers. The National Milk Producers …