Senate floor consideration of S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 began this week, with a handful of amendments receiving votes. The Senate adjourned for Memorial Day recess yesterday, with farm bill consideration scheduled to resume on Monday, June 3 when the Senate returns to session. As of May 23, the [...]
Category Archives: Blog Posts
Farm Policy Roundup – May 17, 2013
House and Senate Agriculture Committees completed work this week on their respective versions of the 2013 Farm Bill. Highlights of both markups are below. Major differences exist between the bills, primarily on nutrition and commodity programs. A significant development in the Senate bill was the committee’s support for reattachment of conservation compliance to crop insurance [...]
American Farmland Trust Calls on House of Representatives to Remedy Two Conservation Issues in 2013 Farm Bill
American Farmland Trust (AFT) congratulates House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) on successfully concluding the Committee’s draft of the 2013 Farm Bill. AFT President Jon Scholl said, “The Committee bill is a critically important step toward the end goal we all share of a five-year farm bill. I [...]
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Act Now! Tell the Senate to Keep Conservation Compliance in the Farm Bill
Yesterday, a conservation milestone was reached. A historic compromise, bringing together agriculture and conservation groups, passed approval in the Senate Agriculture Committee with bipartisan support as the committee finalized their draft of a new five-year Farm Bill. American Farmland Trust was a leader in brokering the non-partisan conservation compliance agreement included in the draft bill, [...]
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Farm Policy Roundup -May 10, 2013
A fast legislative sprint is ahead over the next few weeks as both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees release legislative language and begin consideration of the 2013 Farm Bill. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., has released a committee draft of the legislation which will be marked up next Tuesday, May 14 at [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged 2013 Farm Bill, conservation compliance, Conservation Programs, Program Funding Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – May 2, 2013
Although Congress has been in recess this week, there has been considerable activity surrounding the 2013 Farm Bill on Capitol Hill as staff and farm lobbyists prepare for the agriculture committees to begin mark up of a new five-year bill as early as next week. No official dates have been announced, but the Senate Agriculture [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged bees, conservation, environment, farm bill, pollination, USDA Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – April 19, 2013
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Targets May 15 Mark-Up House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., indicated this week that he would like to begin marking up farm bill legislation around the middle of May. Signaling increased farm bill work, the committee announced a hearing next Wednesday, April 24 to review horticulture priorities for the 2013 [...]
Farm Policy Roundup – April 12, 2013
President Releases Fiscal Year 14 Budget President Obama this week released much anticipated details of his fiscal year 2014 (FY14) federal budget proposal. Overall, the budget proposes $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction. This includes 215 cuts, consolidations and savings proposals which would save $25 billion in 2014 and $539 billion through 2023. Specific to the [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged conservation, farmland protection, federal budget, local food, USDA Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – April 5, 2013
Senate Agriculture Committee Mark Up Expected Soon While it has not been officially confirmed, there is strong indication that the Senate Agriculture Committee may schedule mark-up of the farm bill upon Congress’ return to Washington, DC next week. Timing is not clear, but the legislative calendar suggests that the mark up would have to occur [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged 25x25, climate change, conservation, environment, farm bill Comments closed
Agriculture in a Changing Climate: 25x’25 Alliance Report Offers Climate Change Adaptation Recommendations
Many farmers, foresters, and ranchers throughout the United States are adjusting their operations to reduce the risks associated with increasingly variable and unpredictable weather. In addition, producers are facing unprecedented economic, social, and environmental pressures which require that they balance for multiple outcomes. These challenges include feeding, clothing, housing, and fueling a rapidly growing world, [...]