Latest News From Farm Bill

New Legislation Would Require USDA to Study Fertilizer Industry
New Legislation Would Require USDA to Study Fertilizer Industry

The Fertilizer Research Act has been introduced by three senators to require USDA to study competition and trends in the fertilizer market.

Senate and House Leaders Call for Farm Bill Extension
Senate and House Leaders Call for Farm Bill Extension

Rep. Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee, continues to express optimism about passing a new farm bill in December in the House of Representatives. But he says an extension of the current farm bill is needed.

The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill
The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill
The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill

With the government funding in place for now, work on a new farm bill can continue, with the same questions (timing, funding, Title 1 reform, etc.) still being unanswered. 

4 policy priorities on produce advocates’ radar right now
4 policy priorities on produce advocates’ radar right now

The farm bill, labor, food safety and nutrition were the top takeaways at the recent IFPA Washington Conference, which brought together industry leaders to listen and influence policy makers on fresh produce priorities.

Photos: IFPA’s Washington Conference
Photos: IFPA’s Washington Conference

The International Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference kicked off on Sept. 12 and has gathered members to Capitol Hill to advocate for the policies and legislation critical to the produce industry.

Farm Bill 2023 Draft is Expected by Mid-September
Farm Bill 2023 Draft is Expected by Mid-September

House Ag Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, along with other members, is seeking additional funding sources for the bill, but that will likely be the biggest farm bill hurdle that may trip up lawmakers.

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance backs disaster relief, mechanization bills
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance backs disaster relief, mechanization bills

The specialty crop alliance is endorsing two bills that it believes supports a competitive and strong future for the sector in both domestic and global marketplaces.

Produce advocates press Congress about next farm bill
Produce advocates press Congress about next farm bill

According to recent testimony, top farm bill priorities for specialty crops include research, crop insurance, conservation and the climate, nutrition, the Specialty Crop Block Grants initiative, organics and trade.

Farm Bill Will Not See an Increase in Funds
Farm Bill Will Not See an Increase in Funds

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow, (D-Mich.) says there will be no new funding for the 2023 farm bill. However, Stabenow stressed she will not allow a cut in conservation funding.

IFPA hosts advocacy forum, amplifying key issues in Washington, D.C
IFPA hosts advocacy forum, amplifying key issues in Washington, D.C

Over 250 fresh produce industry advocates gathered to meet, learn and amplify industry influence on key issues in Washington, D.C.

USApple Board at White House to discuss trade, ag labor
USApple Board at White House to discuss trade, ag labor

The U.S. Apple Association’s board of directors visited the White House on March 15 to meet with White House policy staff and discuss “critical issues impacting the apple industry.”

USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum packs 30 panels and keynotes in 2 days
USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum packs 30 panels and keynotes in 2 days

The hybrid conference seeks to impart thought-provoking advancements and updates from the USDA’s 29 agencies, with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack leading the event.

Commodity Programs Might See a 12% Cut in the Proposed $1 Trillion Farm Bill
Commodity Programs Might See a 12% Cut in the Proposed $1 Trillion Farm Bill

SNAP, which historically receives the greatest amount of farm bill funding, will see an 82% increase of a quarter-trillion-dollars.

Organic Trade Association shares top 7 priorities for organic agriculture in the 2023 farm bill
Organic Trade Association shares top 7 priorities for organic agriculture in the 2023 farm bill

What makes the 2023 organic agenda according to the association? It basically comes down to having responsive organic standards, supporting American farmers and empowering organic supply chains.

NGA advocates for SNAP, other programs in 2023 farm bill
NGA advocates for SNAP, other programs in 2023 farm bill

Maintaining the dignity of lower-income shoppers and increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all are key goals that the National Grocers Association is pushing for in the 2023 farm bill.

USDA invests $25M to expand healthy incentives in SNAP
USDA invests $25M to expand healthy incentives in SNAP

This year the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will select up to three states to receive funding and support to run an Electronic Healthy Incentives Pilot, or eHIP, for SNAP participants in their state.

USDA’s new organic rule tackles fraud
USDA’s new organic rule tackles fraud

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule, filed unofficially by the USDA on Jan. 18, represents the biggest update in the program’s history and bolsters organic integrity according to industry leaders.

Organic Trade Association taps Peter Mihalick as senior director of government affairs
Organic Trade Association taps Peter Mihalick as senior director of government affairs

The experienced policy and regulatory leader will spearhead organic agriculture advocacy on the 2023 farm bill and other policy initiatives on Capitol Hill.

4 Ways to Advocate for Ag in the New Farm Bill
4 Ways to Advocate for Ag in the New Farm Bill

The 2023 farm bill will have tremendous influence on your farm. It will affect what U.S. agriculture does, and how we’ll feed the world, over the next five years.

Research in Ag-Tech Top-Of-Mind in Farm Bill Hearing
Research in Ag-Tech Top-Of-Mind in Farm Bill Hearing

“We rely on the support of farm bill funding and programs to ensure continued U.S. leadership as the provider of the best seed to the world," said Katy Rainey, Purdue associate professor, at the Senate Ag hearing.

senate
Impact of the Elections on Farm Bill 2023

The farm bill debate depends in part on who controls the House because leadership of the Ag Committee would see definite changes if the GOP wins.

USDA gives Elevated Foods $20 Million to expand climate-smart agriculture practices and markets
USDA gives Elevated Foods $20 Million to expand climate-smart agriculture practices and markets

California-based Elevated Foods granted $20 million from USDA to support farms and working lands with climate-smart ag practices and expand markets.

5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023
5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023

In preparation for farm bill 2023, the House Ag Committee met on Tuesday to grasp the highs and lows of the current farm bill and fill any gaps in 2023.

Jennifer Tucker of the USDA's National Organic Program gives an update with a visual presentation at the virtual Global Organic Produce Expo Jan. 28.
Keeping organic integrity throughout supply chain in U.S. and abroad

Non-farm businesses may be required to get organic certification in the near future — especially operations that import or export organic produce.

AgroFresh VP joins USDA-backed advisory council
AgroFresh VP joins USDA-backed advisory council

Ann Beaulieu, vice president of research and development and regulatory at Philadelphia-based AgroFresh Solutions, will join an advisory council focused on improving access to nutritious foods and reducing food waste.

Farm bill increases funding for Double Up Food Bucks produce program
Farm bill increases funding for Double Up Food Bucks produce program

The new farm bill prescribes $45 million in 2019 for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program, also known as Double Up Food Bucks.

Farm bill in president Trump's hands

The farm bill is in the hands of President Trump, following the Senate and House approval of the legislation, widely praised by groups representing fresh produce growers and marketers.

UPDATED: Conference farm bill report released

Embracing what they called a bipartisan result, House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders released the text of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report.

Farm bill still snagged

House and Senate farm bill conference committee members can’t agree on proposed reforms to the food stamp program, and the clock is ticking on getting the legislation passed this year.

Congressmen stress compromise on agricultural issues
Congressmen stress compromise on agricultural issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., set the stage for the March on Capitol Hill fresh produce industry leaders on Sept. 25.

Packer Insight — Grapes, farm bill progress, and fresh-cut melons
Packer Insight — Grapes, farm bill progress, and fresh-cut melons

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle tackle the big topics of the week, including why grape prices are so high, what the latest farm bill progress has been, and what the most recent update is on a pre-cut melon recall.

AgriTalk
AgriTalk: Would You Buy Zucchinis Online?

AgriTalk Host Chip Flory brings in Jim Wiesemeyer to cover news from Washington, Greg Henderson and Pamela Riemenschneider cover online produce shopping, and Rhonda Brooks previews Farm Journal's Yield Tour.

The farm bill was defeated in the House Friday.
Farm Bill Falls on House Floor

The 2018 farm bill was brought down by the Freedom Caucus in a House vote Friday.

A vote on the House farm bill could happen this week.
Republicans look to move the farm bill

House Republicans hope to debate and vote on the farm bill this week, but industry sources say it is uncertain whether the GOP has the votes to pass it.

Farm Bill reauthorization has historically passed Congress by wide margins but it may face significant push back this time from lawmakers over work requirements tied to SNAP. Fiscal hawks may also make passage more challenging this year.
Rough Road Ahead for Farm Bill

The Republican version set for a House vote on Friday contains so many unpalatable provisions that lawmakers from both parties are racing to dramatically rework the $867 billion bill to keep it from going down in defeat.

House Agriculture Committee names communications director
House Agriculture Committee names communications director

Patrick Delaney, former communications manager at the United Fresh Produce Association, is Democratic communications director for the House Agriculture Committee Minority.

Packer Insight — Farm bill news and Dirty Dozen
Packer Insight — Farm bill news and Dirty Dozen

National editor Tom Karst and staff writer Ashley Nickle discuss the big stories of the week, including the release of the farm bill, annoyance with the Dirty Dozen and updates on tropical fruit and Kern County produce.

In a clip from Packer Insight, national editor Tom Karst reports the latest on the farm bill.
Farm bill work starts in earnest

With iffy Democratic support, the race is on to pass a farm bill this year.

Grocers Sound Out on Harvest Box Concept

The Agriculture Department has begun talking with grocery retailers about their potential role in a proposal to replace some food-stamp allocations with prepackaged boxes of groceries.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue delivers the keynote address at USDA's Ag Outlook Forum. February 22, 2018.
Grocers Sound Out on Harvest Box Concept

The Agriculture Department has begun talking with grocery retailers about their potential role in a proposal to replace some food-stamp allocations with prepackaged boxes of groceries.

Farm Bill generic
USDA Farm-Bill Outline: Work as a Food-Stamp Goal

Trump Farm-Bill Outline Emphasizes Work as a Food-Stamp Goal

Farm bill landing page launched
Farm bill landing page launched

As the 2018 farm bill continues to take shape, the House Agriculture Committee has launched a landing page on its website with information and updates related to the process.

Bill to allow added produce planting on base acres opposed
Bill to allow added produce planting on base acres opposed

A new bill that would allow growers of grain crops to grow fruits and vegetables on some of their farm program base acres is drawing early opposition from fresh produce interests.

capitol hill
Top Ten Political Issues Facing Agriculture

Former deputy ag secretary Kathleen Merrigan highlights the top non-farm-bill issues that are currently impacting agriculture.