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 [...]
Category Archives: Blog Posts
Farm Policy Roundup -May 10, 2013
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, [...]
Farm Policy Roundup – March 29, 2013
Tell Congress to Support a Five-Year Farm Bill Congress is observing a two-week recess, so Senators and Representatives are at home this week and next for meetings with constituents. Now is the perfect time to tell your legislators that you support passing a five-year farm bill that maintains strong conservation funding, that reinvests in farmland [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged conservation, environment, EPA, farm bill, USDA, water quality, waterway health Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – March 22, 2013
Congress Passes Continuing Resolution, President Expected to Sign Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) for the remainder of fiscal year 2013 appropriations this week, providing funding for federal agencies through September 30 of this year. The President is expected to sign the bill into law before the March 27 deadline upon his return from overseas [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged conservation, continuing resolution, farm and ranch lands protection program, farm bill, farm economy Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – March 15, 2013
The legislative calendar for March continues to be dominated by federal budget and spending legislation. This week, the Senate began work on continuing appropriations to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2013. The current continuing resolution expires on March 27, so Congress is quickly approaching a key deadline. Funding for agriculture, rural development, FDA [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged budget, estate tax, Kathleen Merrigan, rural heritage, USDA Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – March 1, 2013
Congressional activity to avert sequestration stalled this week and today the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration kicked in, making mandatory reductions across the federal government. Specific cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are estimated to be to the tune of $2 billion for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. USDA has noted [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Tagged conservation compliance, environmental protection agency, EPA, sequester, USDA Comments closed