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 [...]
Tag Archives: conservation
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 [...]
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 Also tagged 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 [...]
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 Also tagged 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 Also tagged continuing resolution, farm and ranch lands protection program, farm bill, farm economy Comments closed
Report Reveals Success of Conservation Compliance in Protecting Soils and Wetlands
PRESS RELEASE Former USDA Deputy Secretary and Co-Chair of AGree Jim Moseley Makes Case for Attaching Compliance to Crop Insurance in Next Farm Bill Washington, D.C., Feb. 26, 2013—Over the last 25 years, one of the least-publicized farmland conservation efforts has actually been one of the most effective, says a new report by former USDA Deputy [...]
Posted in Blog Posts, News Items Also tagged AGree, conservation compliance, farm bill, highly erodible land, Jim Moseley, USDA Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – February 22, 2013
American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl sent a letter this week to the Bi-Cameral Task Force on Climate Change in response to a request for input from the task force. AFT’s letter presented information to the task force on opportunities for Congress and the administration to act on climate change, both in terms of helping [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Also tagged ag outlook forum, conservation reserve program, farm bill Comments closed
Farm Policy Roundup – February 15, 2013
It has been a busy week in the agriculture committees. The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing, Drought, Fire and Freeze: The Economics of Disasters for America’s Agricultural Producers, on last year’s natural disasters and the impact to agriculture. Much of the hearing focused on the beneficial role conservation practices play in helping farmers recover from natural [...]
Posted in Blog Posts Also tagged climate change, farm bill, farmland protection, sodsaver Comments closed
