The $810 million dollar deal between E&J Gallo and Constellation Brands was finally approved by the Federal Trade Commission. The deal sends 32 brands from Constellation to Gallo in a move…
Latest Dietary Guidelines Receive Praise from Several Ag Groups
…Committee. Other public comments and input from federal agencies are also considered in the crafting of the report. Several agricultural groups have issued messages of support for the most recent…
H-2A Wage Freeze Blocked by Federal Judge Ruling
A federal judge has blocked the H-2A wage freeze that the Department of Labor (DOL) announced back in November. The DOL decision would have kept H-2A wages at 2020 rates…
Locally Driven Water Initiatives Critical for Helping Guide National Assistance
…through local collaboration. “We can bring you together with state agencies, local agencies, other federal partnerships with organizations producer- and conservation-related. They bring their resources, staff, and funding alongside our…
Week in Review: Mixed Results in Snow Survey, Friant-Kern Canal Gets Federal Funding
The California Department of Water Resources performed the first 2021 snow survey at Phillips Station Wednesday morning. The Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations and COVID-relief package includes funding support for making…
Outgoing Administration, 2020 Brought Ag Innovation Progress
Several issues were addressed by the Trump administration that spread up innovation and eases restrictions. The American Seed Association (ASTA) is always at the forefront of innovation in agriculture. One…
Critical Habitat Definition and Exclusions Finalized Under ESA Rules
…19, 2021, USFWS will be able to consider excluding federal lands from receiving a critical habitat designation. The new rule also allows USFWS to consider several factors when evaluating federal…
Monarch Butterfly Not Endangered, But Will Continued to Be Monitored
…precluded” decision to leave the species off the list for federal protection. Acknowledging that populations are on the decline, USFWS indicated the monarch will remain a candidate for inclusion under…
Federal Judge Rejects USDA Changes to H-2A Program
An update to the H-2A program has been put on hold by a California federal court. The Department of Labor’s decision to freeze farm workers’ wages for those using the…
Agreement Reaffirms Multi-Agency Commitment to Address Food Waste
A formal agreement was recently renewed between multiple federal agencies in an effort to address food waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S….
Almond Update: Optimism for 2021, BMP Training Starts Year
…Virtual Almond Conference earlier this month. Vetter did say however that she believes the new administration will continue to advance positive progress with China and not try and start over…
Appropriations Bill Includes Support for Friant-Kern Canal Improvements
…ago, one of the most common questions we’ve been asked is how we plan to finance the project, and whether the Federal government would be a meaningful funding partner for…
FDA Extends Comment Period for FSMA Food Traceability Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the deadline for commenting on the Food Safety Modernization Act’s traceability rule. The original comment period was set to close on…
Blueberry Growers Form Alliance to Address Market Issues
…federal support to use existing trade laws to address issues with blueberry imports to help preserve and enhance domestic production. The Alliance is also wanting to raise awareness about the…