The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are teaming up to advance research efforts. A memorandum of understanding was signed to strengthen ties…
Industry Reps to House Ag: USDA Should Handle Rural Broadband
…Broadband Association “USDA understands rural America like nobody else,” she said. “No other federal agency understands the needs on the ground, and how important connectivity is for rural Americans who,…
FSA County Committees Seeking Nominations by August 1
…are encouraged to serve on committees to help guide the local administration of federal farming programs. “Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations…
Citrus Breeding Research Receives Increased Federal Support
…A new citrus breeding program will also be supported by an additional $1 million in federal funding. The House Appropriations Committee included additional funding for citrus research to develop and…
Tentative Port Labor Agreement Reached
…an agreement. Su had been dispatched to San Francisco this week after encouragement from business groups for the Biden Administration to get more involved. In a statement, President Biden praised…
Farmer/Congressman Supports Dignity Act for Immigrants
…with all federal and state laws, pass a criminal background check, and pay outstanding taxes or debts. Participants will pay $5,000 in restitution during the seven years of the program,…
West Coast Port Slowdowns Attracting More Federal Attention
…White House to send acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su as a mediator to help negotiate a resolution. The Biden Administration has repeatedly been encouraged to get involved in the…
IFPA Wants Equity in Farm Bill
“We think that the federal government should up investment that they make in the specialty crop industry,” says IFPA’s Rebeckah Adcock The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) wants to see…
Week in Review: Sites Project Progressing & Audit Highlights Shortcomings of CA Water Management
…administration of water supplies. The U.S. Trade Representative is keeping specialty crops in focus for trade deals and working on disputes under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. UC Davis Professor and…
USDA Moving Forward with Potential FMMO Modernization
Industry groups have expressed appreciation for the Action Plan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Last week USDA detailed a series of actions for considering revisions to the Federal…
‘Dangerous’ Water Rights Legislation Continues Moving Forward
…curb necessary upgrades to water infrastructure. Puglia said that destabilizing the current system disincentives investment. Creating uncertainty within the water rights system makes state and federal cost-share programs less of…
Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over Treated Seed Regulations
…exempted seeds treated with pesticides. EPA determined that treated seeds fall within the Treated Article Exception (TAE), therefore exempting them from certain requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide…
VofV: How Bayer’s Dr. Frank Wong Overcame His Skepticism About Biologicals
…and federal levels, Frank discusses the need for options, but acknowledges it isn’t going to be easy. “It’s certainly challenging for maintaining tools that actually allow you to produce fruits…
Funding Questionable for New Specialty Crop Farm Bill Programs
…don’t ask.’ And she’s our great champion for specialty crops,” he said. “I love Senator Stabenow, but I just couldn’t sit there and hear that after seeing the federal government…