…Horticulture, and Research Chair Stacey Plaskett questioned how the food box program is being managed. The three members of Congress are asking how the $1.2 billion in contracts were awarded…
Ag Producers Can Now Apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
…is being made possible through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act authorized by Congress. Agricultural businesses are defined as those involved in the legal production of food and…
USMCA Implementation Scheduled for July 1
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be ready to be put into effect on July 1. Ambassador Lighthizer sent a notice to Congress on…
Disaster Loan Program Needs ‘Several Changes’
A coalition of agricultural groups and businesses are encouraging Congress to make some adjustments to the disaster loan program being made available to address the impact of COVID-19. In a…
Market Disruptions: ‘We’re Not Out of It by Any Stretch’
…relieve some of the pressure put on farmers and ranchers. Congress has authorized several stimulus packages in an attempt to keep the agricultural industry solvent, with billions of dollars being…
USDA Taking Proposals for Buy Fresh Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to implement the Buy Fresh program that has been developed as part of the coronavirus stimulus package in which Congress allocated $19…
150 Ag and Water Groups Call for Water Relief
…and members of Congress highlight the importance of providing support for enhancing water management, particularly in light of the tumultuous conditions created by COVID-19. “An important step in combating the…
Lawmakers Urge Governor Newsom to Reconsider Incidental Take Permit
Several Congressional leaders sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom expressing disappointment in the decision to issue an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for long-term operations of the State Water Project. …
$5 Billion in Relief Sought for Produce Market Stabilization Program
…more than 100 members of Congress who are urging USDA to provide immediate relief to the industry. “Over a five-day period, 30 million school lunches, 15 million school breakfasts, and…
Senate Approves Coronavirus Stimulus Bill, Bringing Agricultural Assistance
…elimination of direct-to-consumer sales and decline in full-service restaurant and school meal demand,” the letter stated. “Congress must have farmers’ and ranchers’ backs by expanding and replenishing USDA’s borrowing authority…
Labor Certainty for Food Security Act Introduced
A new bill aimed at addressing the shortage of agricultural labor was recently introduced in Congress. Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, Reece Langley explained that…
President Trump: 2020 Trade Aid on the Table
…Roger Johnson encouraged more transparency in the process of administrating farm support. Johnson expressed concern that the exclusion of Congress in the decision-making process for trade assistance could negatively impact…
USMCA to Bring Benefits to U.S. Textile Industry
Cotton growers are optimistic about some of the details in the recently signed U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which should provide benefits for the U.S. textile industry. Following approval from Congress, President…
USMCA Signing ‘Good Day for American Agriculture’
…big step forward, it should be a floor for future trade deals, not a ceiling; when negotiating with other trading partners, we encourage the Trump administration and Congress to build…