The U.S. Senate passed the American Rescue Plan Act over the weekend. The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill will head back to the U.S. House of Representatives for another vote. …
Farm Workforce Modernization Act Reintroduced with Ag Support
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Dan Newhouse introduced the legislation that is designed to reform the H-2A …
Agricultural Burning in the San Joaquin Valley Officially Set to End in 2025
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to approve the plan to end agricultural burning in the San Joaquin Valley. CARB established January 1, 2025, as the absolute end date …
Speedier COVID Assistance Expected with New USDA Leadership in Place
With the U.S. Department of Agriculture finalizing leadership positions, assistance for producers affected by COVID should be on the way soon. Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton …
Supreme Court Asked to Review Case Against California’s Prop 12
The legal challenges to the animal housing requirements established in California’s Proposition 12 are continuing. The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) recently filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court for …
California Snow Levels Low, Matching Water Storage Levels
The latest snow survey highlighted the disparity in California snow levels between regions. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) performed the third manual snow survey at Phillips Station. Readings indicated …
FACA Expands Membership and Narrows Its Focus
The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) is working to narrow its focus on specific policy recommendations. Initially, the group established more than 40 policy recommendations back in November. As …
Partnership Looks to Enhance Organic Conservation Practices
A new three-year partnership is aimed at helping expand the implementation of organic conservation practices. An agreement was recently made between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service …
USDA Leadership Continues Taking Shape with Recent Appointments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been announcing new personnel to key positions within the department. Notable USDA leadership appointments include Gloria Montaño Greene as Deputy Under Secretary for …
Lawmakers Ask Biden for Rural Broadband Infrastructure Improvements
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is encouraging President Joe Biden to make rural broadband infrastructure a priority moving forward. Members of the Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus sent a letter detailing …
MSOB: FRAC Group History and Increasing Importance in Biological Industry
FRAC group concerns could be an increasing issue in the biological fungicide industry as more products and knowledge is developed. A Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) group is a model …
American Rescue Plan Legislation Moving Through Congress
Congressional committees continue moving through the process of getting the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package passed. The relief package proposed by the Biden Administration, known as the American Rescue Plan, …
American Farm Bureau Seeking CFAP Application Extension
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is seeking additional time for producers to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Friday, February 26 is the current deadline to apply …
Senate Confirms Tom Vilsack as Agriculture Secretary for the Second Time
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Tom Vilsack to once again lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). By a vote of 92-7, Vilsack will assume the position of being the …