Farm Bill Extension for One Year Likely Outcome

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative

An extension of the current farm bill could be agreed upon this week, meaning a new one will not be in place until, at the earliest, late next year. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, introduced a continuing resolution (CR) this weekend to address the budget uncertainty and avoid a looming government shutdown. Included was the provision to extend the …

AFBF Congratulates Rep. Johnson on Speaker Election

Clint ThompsonLegislative

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall recently commented on the election of Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) to be Speaker of the House. “AFBF congratulates Rep. Mike Johnson on his election to Speaker of the House. Speaker Johnson has a strong history of supporting America’s farmers and ranchers, which has earned him the ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ award multiple …

U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Nutrition, Organics

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, endorsed nutrition and organic bills last week that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations: “The U.S. specialty crop industry is …

U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Nutrition and Organics 

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative, Specialty Crops

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has endorsed nutrition and organic bills that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations:  “The U.S. specialty crop industry is crucial to our national …

POTUS, WOTUS, SCOTUS

Web AdminLegislative, Water

By Frank Giles The debate over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) has been ongoing for years. During the President of the United States (POTUS) Barack Obama administration, a new definition of WOTUS was laid out that left a lot of ambiguity on what EPA’s jurisdiction might …

Growers May Comment on Farm Bill at Listening Sessions

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson will host two farm bill listening sessions Oct. 9 and Oct. 13. A U.S. Congress member from Florida will be at each session. The sessions will allow Florida’s growers and ranchers to voice recommendations for the 2023 U.S. farm bill and related agricultural issues. The farm bill sets the legal framework for U.S. agricultural …

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces the Protection of 13,371 Acres of Ranchland through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program 

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Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of 13,371 acres of Florida ranchlands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 13,371 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective agricultural conservation easements totaling $36,754,000. Agricultural conservation easements prevent future development of the land …

U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Research, Nutrition and Trade 

Web AdminLegislative, Research

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, endorsed legislation that would address major priorities tied to research, nutrition and trade laid out in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations:  “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has …

U.S. Rep Introduces Federal Disaster Responsibility Act

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U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack introduced the Federal Disaster Responsibility Act on Sept. 5. She said the bill, which fully funds the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), ensures that block grants are secured for Florida’s growers, among other things. The grants would make sure growers get the necessary tax breaks from hurricane losses they suffered. The bill would also …

SCFBA Co-Chair Discusses Support for Recent Legislation

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative

By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) applauds recent legislation that addresses multiple priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the SCFBA, discussed the provisions that highlight various needs of the specialty crop industry. These include producers’ access to conservation programs, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program …