Wage Rate

Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Crapo Urge Freeze to Ag Wage Rate

Dan Cooper Agribusiness, Labor, Legislative, Specialty Crops

Sen. Rick Scott joined Sen. Mike Crapo and 14 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging it include a freeze to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) in the earliest possible legislative vehicle. Joining Senators Scott and Crapo were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Roger …

fdacs

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Highlights Legislative Achievements for Florida Agriculture

Dan Cooper Legislative, Natural Resources, Specialty Crops

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumwer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida legislature for their work during the 2024 legislative session to provide significant victories for Florida agriculture, its related industries, and consumers. “When you look at agriculture’s $180 billion impact to the state of Florida, it’s clear that we rely upon agriculture as a major economic driver. …

Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Legislative Leaders Launch Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs for Florida Farmers

Dan Cooper Agribusiness, Economy, Legislative, Specialty Crops

The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with more than $112 million in funding to assist Florida farmers in rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program.  In …

Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Producers to Strength Ag Supply Chains

Clint Thompson Legislative

WASHINGTON – As part of the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that the USDA is making investments that will strengthen American food and agriculture supply chains, expand markets for producers and lower food costs. “The Biden-Harris Administration is championing America’s …

Farm Bill Needed Sooner Rather Than Later

Clint Thompson Legislative

By Clint Thompson A one-year extension of the farm bill does not imply Congress can wait until September to form a new one. One legislative expert is hopeful a new farm bill is in place sooner rather than later. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., spoke about …

AFBF Applauds Passage of Stopgap Spending Bill

Clint Thompson Legislative

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall commented last week on the passage of a stopgap spending bill by both the House of Representatives and Senate, which includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. Farm Bureau sent a letter to all members of Congress Tuesday urging passage of the continuing resolution. “We are grateful Congress passed a …

online

USDA Invests Nearly $28 Million to Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Web Admin Legislative, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 organizations that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers, including programs for U.S. veterans who are entering into agricultural careers and starting new farming businesses. “The next generation of farmers and ranchers hold the promise for future American agriculture and rural …

Farm Bill Extension for One Year Likely Outcome

Web Admin Farm 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 Thompson Legislative

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

Web Admin Farm Bill, Legislative

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 …