California farmers are being asked for their perspective on on-farm conservation programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Pollinator Partnership is conducting an online survey seeking feedback …
Doug McKalip Receives Significant Support as Chief Ag Negotiator
President Joe Biden has nominated Doug McKalip as Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). For nearly three decades McKalip has served as an agriculture …
Appeals Court Classifies Bees as Fish Under Endangered Species Act
An appeals court recently reversed an earlier judgment preventing bumblebees from falling under the definition of “fish” in the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The California Third District Court of …
Cattle, Water Industry Reps Gives Insights During First WOTUS Roundtable
WOTUS is in the spotlight once again. Cattle producers representing several states voiced their concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing Waters of the U.S. rulemaking attempt …
DPR Hosting Public Workshops on Statewide Pesticide Notification System
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be hosting a series of public workshops to gather input as DPR develops a statewide pesticide application notification system. The workshops will …
Significant Advancements Made in Local Food Procurement Efforts
New programs administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) are helping to bolster local food purchasing efforts. Initiatives such as the Local Food Purchase Assistance …
Stabenow on Senate Ag Committee Work
As the Senate continues to work on the next farm bill, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says she’s looking forward to the committee’s hearing in Arkansas next …
USDA Seeks Proposals for Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership
You only have about two more months to get in a proposal for the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership. Proposals are developed through a collaborative process between NRCS, Forest Service …
New Organic Transition Initiative to Address Several Industry Needs
As much as $300 million will be made available through a new Organic Transition Initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program is part of the Food System …
MSOB: Plant Biostimulant Act Necessary for Regulatory Clarity
Recently introduced legislation, H.R. 7752, known as the Plant Biostimulant Act of 2022, seeks to more appropriately define the regulatory structure for biostimulant products. Executive Director of the Biological Products …
Changes to Walnut Marketing Order Still Working Through the Process
The California Walnut Board (CWB) has remained actively working on adjustments to the Federal Marketing Order. CWB Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Joshua Rahm said the industry efforts initially …
Largely Positive Response to USDA’s Food Supply Chain Transformation Plan
Responses to the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding its food supply chain transformation plan have been largely positive. Multiple agricultural groups have expressed support for the …
More Than 40 Food and Agriculture Groups Call for Tariff Adjustment
A total of 41 organizations representing a broad array of agricultural interests are calling for significant tariff adjustment. Led by Farmers for Free Trade, the ag groups are encouraging the …
Study Demonstrates Value of Programs Supporting Export Market Development
A recent econometric study conducted by IHS Markit and Texas A&M University shows that public-private U.S. agricultural export market development programs remain highly effective. Senior Government Relations Representative with the …